Do you take off your shoes for sessions?

During snowy months it's pretty much expected that anytime you go into a private office you'll remove your outside footwear. Some people carry shoes with them to put on when they go to appointments, I just can't be bothered to carry shoes unless it's a work function or something. My lawyer apparently doesn't care but my doctor, dentist, therapist and hairdresser expect people to take off wet boots at the door and post signs saying as much. I don't take off dry shoes in the summer anywhere else but I also don't sit with my feet on the upholstery at most other offices.

Wow, this is first time I ever hear this ("expected"), and I've lived in different countries/cities across Europe and the US. The max I've encountered is that they want people to wipe their shoes if they are visibly very dirty.

I tend to remove shoes whenever and wherever I can. Now, I love shoes--and have way too many pairs. But I've never worn shoes at home (inside only slippers in cold weather). But I'm only barefoot at home; elsewhere I wear shoe liners, etc. I would prefer to remove shoes in all professional spaces, but don't because there is no provision for it, nor expectation of it.

But my T has a lovely Persian rug in her room, and I do remove my shoes by the entrance. It was clear from my T's reaction that her other clients don't. I keep my feet on the floor. (I love that Fantasia just stood to sing at Aretha's celebration, and took off her shoes! )

I don't feel the need for shoes as protection and simply feel more at ease and in touch with my inner self without shoes.

I take off the shoes in order to lay on the couch in a way I feel most comfortable.

I only rarely go completely barefoot at home. I usually have on glerups or teva sandals.
It is for more practical reasons than anything else - I hate stepping on the dogs' slimy half chewed rawhides or their toys in bare feet.

I never take off my shoes. T has taken them off a couple of times. She's even poped her toes!

I'm almost always in socks and slippers at home despite living in a hot climate. I just don't like my feet being bare and I don't like the way the floor feels on bare feet. I also just really like socks. Especially fun colored socks, or socks with cool designs, or what have you.

I love the way my floors feel barefoot: the smoothness of polished hardwood, the summer cool of ceramic tile, and the coziness of sun warmed cork. But I also steam floors regularly and Swiffer most days! And I only have a cat.

I just googled steaming floors -- I didn't know it was something you could do!

I'm rather lackadaisical about cleaning (although given that it's all wood and no carpet, I really have no excuse) but keep a thin cloth mat or two at a couple of places to wipe my feet and also just wash my feet whenever I come into the house.

I have taken my shoes off if they were uncomfortable for some reason but mostly I keep them on.

I live in an area with snowy winters, where many people expect guests to take off shoes in their homes and it's rude to sit there with your shoes dripping all over the floor. I don't think it's normal to take shoes off in a professional setting, though.

I think part of the reason attitudes in the US have shifted a bit toward removing shoes--at least in homes--is because so many don't wear dress shoes anymore. Smooth soles don't drag in the outdoors and don't generally damage floors. But lug soles carry in everything, and narrow heels create damage. When I redid my kitchen--the entrance everyone uses--I even had a cabinet outfitted as a shoe rack for convenience.

Steam cleaners run the gamut, but lightweight ones designed for floors can be pretty cheap. Just only use on sealed floors! I love them because they're so easy, totally non-toxic for pets, and disinfect!

No, I never have and it's not something I would think of doing.

I always take my shoes off in someones house. I didn't for ex T 2 as she had an office and insisted I kept them on. ex T1 and T 3 I do but they have home offices.

Yes I take my shoes off so that I can put my feet up on the couch. I like being curled up in the therapy room, it helps me feel safe.

Therapist specific. Its the only professional place where I get to get comfy...and comfortable for me is no shoes.

No. Never.

I have, since the very early days. I am generally in a sort of sitt8ng fetal position with my knees up and feet on the couch cushions, and I didn’t want my shoe soles on his couch. I asked permission before I did it.

Only with therapist and only after about 2 years when I realized I can sit any way I like which means taking off my shoes so I can put up my feet on the couch or curl up on it. Now I do it every session and it helps me to feel comfortable and less business like, so it’s easier for me to open up and just be me. Weird I know, but I also like that he does it now too, it’s less formal. But I always like to wear socks, it’s a thing.

If it's wintertime and I'm wearing boots or shoes with socks I always take my shoes off at the therapist's office. If it's summer time and I'm wearing flip flops or sandals or open toed shoes I keep my shoes on or I bring a pair of socks as I feel that it's rude to be barefoot on her couch
It kind of skeeves me to think that I'm sitting on a couch where other people's bare feet have been, so I try to be courteous. I cannot think of any other situation where i would take my shoes off but at my therapist's office I want to feel comfortable...

It never crossed my mind to take off my shoes, but if my T did then I probably would. I definitely check in visiting homes socially what the expectation is, but until this poll, I didn't realize it was an option.

I do not take my shoes off when I see the therapist. I will take them off when I go to the doctor if I am required to disrobe, but not otherwise.

No but my therapist did. Shoes, socks, the works. Kinda weird.

I've lived in Europe and the US too. There's winter cities and there's WINTER cities. I'm not saying we get some snow here, I'm saying it's a major fact of life for at least a third of the year. If you have boots with deep grooves and there's a lot of snow/slush and, most destructively, salt, it will melt and create a huge indoor puddle wherever you are. Actual winter boots can't effectively or reliably be wiped on a mat at the door. Cleaning up after that all day long in a small private office would be a major job.

Taking off shoes is only for people's homes in my country and culture. Shoes on in an office, carpeted floor or not.

I would never take off my shoes in a therapist's office unless all clients have to do so and there's a shoe rack outside the door indicating so.

My dentist office has a sign asking people take their winter boots off when they come in. I don't find it odd, boots can get so messy and gross. I would feel uncomfortable leaving them on for an appointment. Winter city dweller here!