Once I was invited to a house warming party in Western Canada, and everybody had to take their shoes/boots (it was in winter) off. It was a rather big party - some 30 persons. There were beautiful, stylish ladies, and ALL of them in their stockings, but that did not spoil their looks at all. To the contrary, they still looked very elegant. I liked it, even though it was a bit unusual for me at the beginning. I think, this is a right thing: if you have a shoes off policy, then it is better to stick to it. How usual is this in Canada? Any other experiences about taking off shoes at parties?
Yes, I tried to add my comment to this recent thread, but it is apparently closed already, that is why I started the new one.
In my experience, it’s pretty much universal. This may have something to do with the presence of all that horrible white stuff on the ground for so many months of the year. If you’ve got snow up to your knees, it’s hard to get your boots cleared off to the point that you won’t melt all over the hostess’s new carpet.
I think the key to your question is that it was winter. Winter in Western Canada usually involves snow, sleet, and mud, in various combinations. It’s just the polite thing to do - rather than tracking it in, most people just take off their footwear. Mind you, it’s partly a generational thing. In my parents’ time, things were a bit more formal, so the men tended to wear toe rubbers, which they would take off at the door, while the women tended to bring dress shoes in a shoe bag.
Probably so, Northern Piper. In the party I am describing the people were mostly 25-30 years old, and I actually saw nobody bringing dress shoes in a shoe bag. Yes, ladies were in their cocktail outfits, but with stockinged feet, and it looked actually very elegant and I would even say, homely, at the hosts` light beige carpet in the entertaining area.
I think actually there are many places to feature the shoes, if they are so important to some people - in restaurants, clubs etc. But at home the shoes are preferably off.
2TREw, so, what I described here looks like typical Canadian party? I see it very practical, indeed.
Its not just the older generation. I’m a “kid” and it is standard practice to remove shoes when indoors. Summer or winter.
Why would people wear outdoor footwear into a home anywhere? Doesn’t the bring in dirt/grime/dogshit/whatever you stepped in and smear it on your carpet? It doesn’t make much sense to me.
Strictly a no-shoe household here. Granted, I have white carpet, but even if I didn’t I would still be a no-shoe type home.
In fact, at every home in Canada I’ve ever gone to, where there’s been a large group of people, there’s been a matching large group of shoes at the door.
In fact, Margaret Atwood references this custom in The Edible Woman - Marion and Peter host a party at his home and Marion notices all the shoes at the front door.
Because of the climate ,we are more likely to have wall to wall plush carpeting ,than hardwood floors. So its generally shoes off , slippers on , in the mudroom.
People that own homes with hardwood floors tend to wear footwear inside the house , but your point regarding other elements being brought into the house is right on the mark.
Declan
Because you don’t understand why threads are closed? Then my very, very strong suggestion is to lurk for a little while before posting again to this message board.