I usually don't wear shoes in the house, though sometimes I forget to take them off. It's a no-shoes policy that varies in laxity with the seasons, i.e., with how much crud we'd be likely to track into the house at any given time.

We have mostly hardwood floors. I will never live with a white carpet again if I can help it.

As for guests, I don't ask them to take off their shoes. Instead I have an obvious place inside by the door where they can put their shoes, should they choose to take them off, and I generally greet them shoeless myself. Generally people follow that lead. If they don't, no big deal.

-- Cam