I'm having a party at my house and need help.

Don't invite him, or send written invitations making it very clear that no shoes are welcome in the house.

With the names you call him in your post why do you even invite him?

Before you have a party, maybe you should let your guests know that is something you want is for them to remove their shoes. Maybe he doesn't wear socks and he is embarrassed to show his feet.

Unless he's Japanese, and you are in Japan, he never heard of any tradition of removing shoes before walking on the carpet?

Do you have a shoe placement site by the front door? Some kind of sign there to warn folks?

just tell him to take his shoes off... be insistent if you must... he'll either take them off or get pissy and leave...either way problem solved.

Maybe the guy has legs of unequal length. Maybe he has a club foot. Maybe he has a fake foot. Maybe he has a reason to keep on his shoes, in other words.

Honestly the only polite way to do this is if you provide slippers for everyone who comes in. That means you will need to purchase slippers in a variety of sizes and have them available at the door. Even then it really isn't polite and it would probably be cheaper to have your carpet cleaned after the party.

just kick his ass as soon as he walks in the door. I mean rip him to shreds. People will be talking about your party for months.

Screw that politically correct crap. It's his house, and if he doesn't want people to wear shoes, it's his right. He doesn't have to provide sh!t.

Put a sign on the door. Also somehow send the message he's not welcome unless he takes his shoes off, or you'll be sticking your bare foot up his ass.

You should inform all your guests to bring a pair of slippers with them. You can purchase those cheap little hospital slippers at a medical supply site if you want to be sure that everyone has a pair.

As a woman, I'ld want to know ahead of time because I would not want to tear my stockings by walking around in them. I also might not wear an outfit that looks best if I wear high heels.

I think a man might want to know so he can throw on some extra foot deodorant and not wear the socks with ripped toe hole.

This is a matter of urgent and raging debate around the world. Some people think it's impolite to ask people to remove their shoes but here in Canada where the weather is wet from rain or snow so much of the year, it's an automatic no-brainer. NOBODY would wear their galoshes into any house (unless they're a hoser or drunk on Molson's). So, if you're unsure how to do it, when you open the door, ask people to take their shoes off as they enter. If the guy has holey socks, that's his problem. Bottom line, he's a guest in your house and he should do as he's asked and since you're the one cleaning the floors, it's up to you.

I live not far from BC, where it is always wet and muddy, and I couldn't imagine requiring my guests to take off their shoes.

It must be a cultural thing.

Doesn't Jeremiah live in southern california? Most of the time, unless one has white carpets, or aesthetically appreciates feet (a) or slippers (b), people just walk in the door, although some don't like that and say so.. I'll admit that on the odd times it rains a hell of a lot, mores may change, with reason. People have different expectations regarding their places. As I remember, you live in a megalopolis, jeremiah. Not everyone around you will just catch on to what you wish.

I live in Hawaii. When I first moved there I was the typical Haoli I - know-nothing and was frequently told to remove my shoes. I got used to that and in time expected the same of folks visiting me.

Does it ever save on cleaning. I have a very cute little sign at my door that says "Please Remove Shoes - Mahola".

Nobody said anything about requiring... it's just most of us would be considerate enough to remove our wet or snowy boots.

The only exception I've noted is if it's a fancy dress-up affair and ladies' shoes are part of the ensemble.

I'm with Green Witch. I think guest should be informed of this when they're invited, for the same reasons Green Witch gave.

When I lived in the US, no one took off their shoes when they came over, but here in Canada, EVERYONE takes their shoes off! Atleast in my neighbourhood, they do.

Eh, Mame ;-)

Eh, Montana What are you doing still up?

I'm eating a T-bone with some rice at the moment :-)

Didn't you know I was one of the A2K night lurkers?

You really don't want me at your party if you're serving T-bone. I'm all hands

Why worry?

No-one will come anyway.

As long as you have some neat records, a clown, and good dip, your party is guaranteed to be a success, socks or no! You'll be laughing too hard at the clown (sometimes they wear really big shoes!) to care about the mud tracked across your carpet.