Do Australians wear shoes inside the house? As a cultural habit, Australians do not expect people to remove their shoes when entering a house. If the weather conditions result in my shoes being dirty or wet, I would remove my shoes.
Many Asian countries typically follow the tradition of removing shoes before entering a house. In India, Afghanistan and other countries where having carpeted rugs are common, it is considered necessary to take one's shoes off in order to walk on carpeted rugs inside the home.
As it turns out, going barefoot is a part of everyday life if you live “Down Under”, and the Aussies just might be onto something that we all can learn from. Australians are notorious for loving the barefoot lifestyle—and we're not just talking about at the beach!
Overall, nearly two in three Americans are "shoes off" people when it comes to their own homes, while just over a third are "shoes on" people. Still, most don't have a "shoes off" policy for their guests. Relatively few Americans require their guests to remove their shoes upon entering their homes.
Back in ancient times, houses in Asia were raised about two feet off the ground. For example, in Japan there is a small space at the entryway of the house (called “Genkan”) for taking shoes off and leaving them. So taking the shoes off and stepping into the house is symbolized as entering a private space.
We commissioned survey research that has found that nearly a quarter of Brits (23%) wear footwear in the house, but aren't aware of how dirty they actually are. Of those who wear footwear at home, half wear them every day (48%).
I was raised in Southern Ontario, spent summers in Quebec, lived 8 years in BC and have been living here in Calgary for 8 year now. I've had a taste of the customs fom one end of Canada to the other and the custom has always been the same... people remove their shoes at the door.
In other words, it's perfectly acceptable to ask guests to remove their shoes.” But here's the catch—if you ask a guest to take off their shoes, you should let them know beforehand or offer them a pair of house shoes to wear.
You'll find that most Hawaiian homes have hardwood floors or tile, and the air temperature never makes going shoe-less uncomfortable. So, in Hawaii's tropical temperatures, it's a mild inconvenience, but taking off your shoes shows a lot of respect for the household.
Japanese have developed the custom of eating meals sitting on tatami mats, not on chairs. They also roll out the futon on which they sleep on the tatami floor. Therefore, they take their shoes off when entering the house to avoid getting the floor dirty.
In Australia and New Zealand, at least in most parts and for many months of the year, the climate doesn't give any reason to wear anything on the feet.
The main reason is beach culture, which spills over into everyday life, whether you are at the beach or not. When it's hot, Aussies want to kick off the shoes and get some air down there.
Thongs are synonymous with Australian culture; we're one of the only countries in the world that refer to them as that and wear them as often as we do, but are they bad for your feet? Rain, hail or shine, someone will be seen wearing a pair of thongs.
Interestingly, the 2021 Australia Talks Survey revealed that most Australians did not expect guests to take off their shoes before entering their home (29% agree, 55% disagree). If you're one of that 29%, there are a few things you can do to ensure guests are leaving their footwear out front.
It is a good rule of etiquette in most homes in Korea to take off your shoes before entering. You don't wear shoes in the house, because it's not hygienic after walking down the street, and Koreans, like many other Asian people, sleep, study, eat, and spend most of their time on the floor.
It is common practice to remove one's shoes before entering someone's home. The host may offer you slippers to wear inside the home. Try to accept any refreshments offered. Refusing them is considered impolite.
In many countries like Germany, Switzerland, Skandinavian countries, Turkey, Japan, Korea etc. it is common use to take off the shoes when entering someone's home. In these countries it is considered a major faux pas to walk through a house with shoes on.
Aloha attire for women : Slacks and a blouse are great as well as an aloha-style dress and sandals. Aloha attire for men: Aloha shirts (obviously) with either loose fitting pants (think linen or cotton) or tasteful length shorts.
It is estimated that sometime during the 20th century, Chinese families resumed the practice of removing their shoes, which has continued to date. Besides for personal hygiene, Chinese households often take off their shoes to also help protect wood floors and carpets especially.
The basic rule is this: we're coming in and we're probably wearing our shoes! It's all a bit odd because the unpredictable British weather means there's a good chance we'll have dirty shoes. But if someone asks Brits to take off their shoes at the front door, we consider it a little bit eccentric and slightly rude.
#1 They Bring in Bacteria
Shoe bottoms are incubators of a variety of germs and bacteria, many of which can make you sick and even lead to long-term illnesses. They're also carrying microscopic remnants of animal and human fecal matter.
Another way could be for you to text, “Hey so excited to host and see you all, just wanted to let you know we like to go barefoot in our home just in case you need to make sure socks match!” Explain it at the door.
While a majority the country remove their own shoes at home, YouGov asked if they expect their guests to do the same. One in ten (10%) will “always” request their guests remove their shoes though slightly more say they'll ask less frequently, either “most of the time” (11%), “sometimes” (13%), or “rarely” (13%).
What Contaminants Do Shoes Bring Into Your House? One University of Arizona study found many harmful bacteria on the inside and outside of shoes. Among the bacteria found was E. coli, which can cause intestinal and urinary tract infections, meningitis, and diarrheal disease.
You'll also want to be sure to wear clean socks or stockings, because you'll be asked to remove your shoes before you enter the prayer area. (Many mosques have a room/shoe rack just off the entrance where you can safely store your shoes and other personal belongings.)