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. Unless we're entering a yoga studio or…well that's about it, really.
In many cultures around the world, removing shoes before entering homes is the norm. In most of Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, shoes are never worn inside homes, and it can be seen as a sign of disrespect for guests to enter a host's home without leaving them at the door.
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.
In Australia, many homes have a shoes off policy, but many do not. It is viewed simply as a matter of preference. In many cultures (see map below) it is considered rude and unhygienic to wear outdoor shoes indoors. Here in Australia, the majority opt for the convenience of keeping shoes on, especially as guests.
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%).
For guests
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.
Here is the law in a nutshell: it is not illegal to drive in the UK without shoes on and the same applies for wearing flip flops - there is a catch though... You can get behind the wheel of a vehicle barefoot or while wearing flip flops, provided you are able to operate the controls safely.
No, it is not illegal to drive barefoot and in thongs, sandals and slides in NSW. There's no specific penalty pertaining to driver footwear in the state, but there is a rule requiring drivers to maintain proper control of their vehicle while driving.
The main reason people go barefoot in Australia is the weather. The weather in Australia is hot, except for a short winter season. People can't but go barefoot in the hot weather of their country. Australia is known for its beach, and you know you cannot but walk barefoot there.
Because it is comfortable and practical. There is no better way to be in touch with the ground you are walking on than being in bare feet.
It is America's cultural norm to wear shoes inside the home and this can be for many reasons, both parties might want to be respectful and walking around in socks or bare feet may seem too casual and can be awkward, especially if you don't know the person that well.
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.
After opening the door and welcoming them in, you can follow it with “We have some space on the rack for shoes,” or “There's a comfortable bench just inside where you can take off your shoes.” This way you are communicating to your guests what you expect from them moving forward, without making it seem rude.
At country level, the distribution of consumption continues gradually to approach that of the population: China and India lead the top footwear consumer markets and together account for almost one third of world consumption.
Some British people wear shoes in their homes, some don't. The ones that don't might not want to bring in dirt from the outside or to reduce wear on their carpets. Some people like to keep their shoes on.
The first, which I don't think I've seen below, is that houses in the U.S. often have internal stairs with slick wood treads, and shoes can be much safer than socks or slippers when ascending or descending. Here are some others: People in the U.S. do take their shoes off at the door when they are wet, dirty, or muddy.
In European nations, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, there are barefoot parks or walks. These parks are kept clean and maintained on a regular basis, so that barefoot hiking can be done in an environment suitable for people who are habitually shod.
In most Asian, European and Middle Eastern homes, shoes are never worn inside as it can be a sign of disrespect from the guests to the owners of the home.
No, it's not illegal to drive barefoot in NSW. However, NSW road rule 297(1) says you must have proper control of your vehicle. That means that while you can't be booked for driving barefoot specifically, you could be held responsible for an accident if police think your barefoot driving contributed to it.
Laws on obscene exposure differ slightly across the different states and territories of Australia but according to FindLaw Australia, obscene exposure is illegal in all jurisdictions.
While there is no law against wearing heels while driving it is a requirement in all states and territories of Australia to maintain control of your vehicle, and ensure you can operate it in a secure and safe manner.
It really is casual all the way in Australia. Outside of the main cities, our advice would be to not bother with dressy clothes. However if you plan to visit city restaurants then you may feel more comfortable in smart casual wear.
In the UK, it is not illegal to drive in flip-flops. However, the RAC website highlights that those wearing flip-flops behind the wheel must be able to operate the controls safely - ie. the brake and accelerator. While this may not be a crime, wearing unsuitable shoes does breach Rule 97 of the Highway Code.
Improper footwear can cause arch pain, and they can even exacerbate other foot conditions such as bunions or corns. The five most problematic shoes are high heels (especially stilettos), pointy shoes, flip-flops, shoes that aren't designed for your activity, and unsupportive shoes.
Taking off our shoes at the airport has become the new normal for almost everyone traveling on a commercial flight. Exceptions to the rule: security pre-screened passengers with TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR, the elderly (over 75), and children under the age of 12.