Do you wear shoes inside your house??

[JayQueer]

Do you guys wear your shoes inside your house or apartment?

Most people in Asia, South Asia (India), and Pacific Islanders don't wear shoes inside the home. I've noticed that most Asian-Americans, or people who have moved to the U.S. or Europe from those places also don't wear shoes inside their house.

In Eastern culture, shoes are considered "unclean" so people leave their shoes near the door. Not wearing outdoor shoes inside the house keeps the house cleaner because you don't bring outdoor dust and dirt inside.

Finally, people who don't wear shoes inside the house are less likely to have athletes foot, foot fungus, or really stinky feet, which happens when you wear closed-toed shoes all the time.

I don't wear shoes inside my house. I usually wear just socks when it's cold, or I just go barefoot inside the house during the summer.


How about you??

 

[subsonic]

I'm form Europe and it's very unheard of to wear your shoes inside. No one does it here at all. I'm always so surprised when I see US tv shows or movies and they're walking around with their shoes or sitting on their couch/beds with shoes on. Seems very unclean, as you said..

 

[G-Lexington]

I generally kick them off as soon as I get home. We suggest guests do the same if they'd like, but if they'd rather leave them on, that's fine.

Lex

 

[yeahright1991]

Inside the house? My Ugg Slippers of course

 

[Spiff]

I always thought it's tacky to be invited to someone's house, and they make you take off your shoes because they don't want to risk getting their floors dirty. I'm not talking about when you have visible mud on your shoes; I'm talking when they make everyone, everytime without exception. If maintaining their own floors is too much work for someone, then maybe they shouldn't have company over. Anal retentive people; gotta love 'em.

 

[G-Lexington]

I always thought it's tacky to be invited to someone's house, and they make you take off your shoes because they don't want to risk getting their floors dirty. I'm not talking about when you have visible mud on your shoes; I'm talking when they make everyone, everytime without exception. If maintaining their own floors is too much work for someone, then maybe they shouldn't have company over. Anal retentive people; gotta love 'em.

Not surprisingly, my Japanese teacher does this at her house. But she has several pairs of slippers available if you'd rather not go around in your socks. I figure that's a good compromise.

Lex

 

[Spiff]

Not surprisingly, my Japanese teacher does this at her house. But she has several pairs of slippers available if you'd rather not go around in your socks. I figure that's a good compromise.

Lex

Sure, make their guests where strange slippers. I'd just as soon wear rented bowling shoes. They may as well make their guests disrobe entirely and put guest robes on them. Don't want the company's clothes to get any germs on their furniture.

 

[G-Lexington]

Guest robes? Now I'm intrigued.

Lex

 

[DigitalFudge]

Barefoot. Always.

 

[Telstra]

I always thought it's tacky to be invited to someone's house, and they make you take off your shoes because they don't want to risk getting their floors dirty. I'm not talking about when you have visible mud on your shoes; I'm talking when they make everyone, everytime without exception. If maintaining their own floors is too much work for someone, then maybe they shouldn't have company over. Anal retentive people; gotta love 'em.

If one person step on a dog poo (he/she didn't know) it would take alot of time to clean the carpet and the carpet is not the same anymore.

Well, i would step on your carpet with dirty shoes all the time and let you enjoy the cleaning process.

 

[terry61_99]

I always take my shoes off, I am more comfortable without them, plus I have very light colored carpeting in my house.

 

[JayQueer]

I always thought it's tacky to be invited to someone's house, and they make you take off your shoes because they don't want to risk getting their floors dirty. I'm not talking about when you have visible mud on your shoes; I'm talking when they make everyone, everytime without exception. If maintaining their own floors is too much work for someone, then maybe they shouldn't have company over. Anal retentive people; gotta love 'em.

I don't see the problem with asking people to take their shoes off if they're coming inside my house.

Especially with people who are from Eastern cultures, shoes are symbolic of being "unclean." Touching something with a shoe or hitting someone with a shoe is the equivalent of spitting on someone, in Eastern culture. Do you guys remember when that Iraqi journalist tried to throw his shoes at President George W. Bush?

The home is a place that is meant to be kept "clean". I don't know of any Asian-Americans who wear shoes inside their house.

 

[Spiff]

If one person step on a dog poo (he/she didn't know) it would take alot of time to clean the carpet and the carpet is not the same anymore.

Well, i would step on your carpet with dirty shoes all the time and let you enjoy the cleaning process.

If, if, if. . .
Is that how stupid you think your invited guests are? You assume they have a habit of walking in poo and then walking into other people's houses? But. . .but. what if. . .Yeah, yeah. What if I was attacked by a swarm of angry bees on the way to your house and I brought them in your house with me?

It's no less respectful to simply ask guests to check their shoes than it is to have them remove them.

 

[BFizzle]

Socks, at the most.

 

[subsonic]

I always thought it's tacky to be invited to someone's house, and they make you take off your shoes because they don't want to risk getting their floors dirty. I'm not talking about when you have visible mud on your shoes; I'm talking when they make everyone, everytime without exception. If maintaining their own floors is too much work for someone, then maybe they shouldn't have company over. Anal retentive people; gotta love 'em.

Why exactly do you find it tacky? I've always thought that it was custom that when you come to another persons home as a guest you have to obey the rules and traditions that apply for that household. That's at least how I was brought up. Just as when other people are guests at your place, they should play by your house rules and not like monkeys. I honestly don't see the problem here. Taking your shoes off is not about being anal with cleaning but you drag a lot of bacteria and dirt inside. People who have kids could get sick from this. Your shoes are made to be used outside not inside the house. Just as many people wouldn't go outside without shoes on their feet.

 

[PreTTy PeTe]

Nope no shoes. I don't want to bring the outside dirt in. and anyone who comes over knows they have to take their shoes off.

If they object I would take that as a sign of disrespect and probably not let them in.

 

[Spiff]

Why exactly do you find it tacky?

I've already made myself clear in my previous posts. We're obviously from different cultures.

 

[Telstra]

If, if, if. . .
Is that how stupid you think your invited guests are? You assume they have a habit of walking in poo and then walking into other people's houses? But. . .but. what if. . .Yeah, yeah. What if I was attacked by a swarm of angry bees on the way to your house and I brought them in your house with me?

It's no less respectful to simply ask guests to check their shoes than it is to have them remove them.

Anyway, its cultural and about respect. If you don't respect your hosts wishes.
Just turn down and don't come. The end

 

[Spiff]

At least tell me while your are inviting me that you will make me take of my shoes or wear strange slippers. Don't spring it on me at the last minute while I am standing at your door, if I don't know you that well.

But agreed. If you want to spare yourself from me thinking you are tacky for assuming the worst of me and making me do this, then simply do not invite me. Simple, problem solved.

 

[PreTTy PeTe]

I've already made myself clear in my previous posts. We're obviously from different cultures.

Never heard of a culture that doesn't respect their hosts.

Trailer park culture maybe.