Although I do it out of respect for them, I don't like when people expect you to take off your shoes cause they have light colored carpets. Some people just don't like walking around in there stocking feet. It goes along with plastic on sofas in my book. I figure that stuff happenes, especailly knowing that one day I'll have a familiy, I try not to get up tight over little messes. Stains happen it's life. But in the intrest of keeping the piece, I guess you should do it for them.