taking shoes off

We never ask anyone to do it but some do as a matter of course and that's fine we don't unless its wet/snowy outside.
I was a bit shamefaced when my 3yr old grandson who lives abroad visited us this year for the first time and when we got back from a walk he stood and removed his shoes in the hallway put them neatly by the wall then looked at me as I walked in and said 'Granny you forgot to take off your shoes', I didn't want spoil such a nice thing so we all removed our shoes in the hall for the rest of his stay. It didn't last, we're back to not doing it now but we do have hard floors so they are easily cleaned.

I think it's actually quite rude to ask guests to remove their shoes, especially if they don't know the guests very well.

Certainly the norm in India. And we used to see kids walking to school barefoot, not so prevalent now
Before we has a good all wool carpet, brown. Showed nothing but was dark.

Now we have light oatmeal, hall sitting room etc, but after years of shoe removing in India, it second nature,
However we have a clarty friend who dog walks and she knows to remove her muddy boots.

If I was going to a dinner party at someone's house,although those days are long past, I would not expect to be asked to take my shoes off and I also don't really like it if the hosts are wearing carpet slippers, but that is just me.

We never ask guests to remove their shoes. All you need is a decent door mat they can wipe their feet on.

We take our shoes off when visiting DD2 because it's what they do as they have pale carpets.

It is the norm in some cultures/countries, but difficult as it is more unusual here, pity they did not warn you to take some indoor shoes if it mattered to them so much.

I don't ask people to do it but am happy if they do (our neighbours bring their slippers)but I always slip mine off at the door of someone else's house. We have had some guests who regard our habit of going barefoot at home as strange - pair of old hippies.

No, never. Wouldn't occur to me. Some people automatically do it, though, without me asking. I have to remember to say "please-there's no need to take your shoes off".

If I'm going to another person's, I generally offer to take mine off.

I think it's polite to offer.

I used to have a light beige carpet until dd pee'd on it ; did your hosts have a light carpet?