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 2008, researchers tracked new shoes worn by 10 participants for two weeks and found that coliform bacteria like E. coli were extremely common on the outside of the shoes. E. coli is known to cause intestinal and urinary tract infections as well as meningitis, among other illnesses.
Taking them off is a smart first move, but if someone's home is set up for keeping shoes on it might be an uncomfortable mistake. The best first step is simply asking what they prefer, as it's better to be safe than sorry, especially in homes where shoes-off is the norm.
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.
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.
A no shoes in the house rule is a great way to keep your floors clean and reduce the amount of dirt, dust, and bacteria that gets tracked in. In many parts of the world, removing your shoes at the door is a traditional sign of respect when you are a guest entering someone else's home.
As it turns out, there are many reasons why you shouldn't wear shoes in the house—at your home or anyone else's. Shoes can be a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and other toxins that can make you sick—not to mention a host of environmental debris that can ruin your hardwood floors and contribute to extra cleanings.
If you're wearing outdoor shoes inside, you can bring a number of bacterial and fungal infections to yourself. You can catch the virus from a spouse or roommate if they have plantar warts. That's why I suggest having an indoor shoe specifically inside. Do not walk barefoot inside and do not wear outside shoes in doors.
Whether you wear shoes in your home usually comes down to personal preference. Kicking off your sneakers at the end of the day can be a creature comfort that also extends the life of your carpeting and makes mopping your hardwood floors an easier chore.
It is considered a matter of hygiene to remove shoes before entering one's home. When people walk outside wearing shoes, they tend to bring dirt, grime, bacteria and infectious diseases into the house. In India, it is also customary for shoes to be taken off before entering others' homes.
More than 36% of Americans have removed their footwear when flying. Nearly 10% of Americans have removed both their shoes and socks.
You probably clean your shoes if you step in something muddy or disgusting (please pick up after your dog!). But when you get home, do you always de-shoe at the door? Plenty of Australians don't. For many, what you drag in on the bottom of your shoes is the last thing on the mind as one gets home.
Try not to keep shoes in the bedroom. Sometimes the negativity arising from them can be so intense that it can even lead to a troubled marriage. Do not keep the shoe rack in the kitchen or too close to the prayer room.
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.
Somehow people have the idea that bare feet are unsanitary or unsafe. There is no rational reason to support this myth: The rubber soles of shoes, full of crevices, hold far more dirt and bacteria than the smooth bottom of a foot. Most dirt that does get on your feet gets brushed off in a few steps.
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.
While many families in the U.S. wear shoes inside the home, many of our readers from other countries find it appalling. I learned that many people continue with the habits they were raised with as children, whether it's to take shoes off at the door or to freely wear them indoors as much as you please.
In response to a reader inquiry, the experts at Architectural Digest said yes, it's totally fine to ask guests to remove their shoes, but it may be best to warn guests before they even come over.
It's certainly not rude. Provided your feet are clean and not smelly. Many don't want street shoes in their household so it's usually a polite gesture to take them off at the door. Being barefoot also is an expression of coziness and being at home, it's relaxed and informal.
Modern Custom of Removing Shoes/Wearing Slippers
Besides for personal hygiene, Chinese households often take off their shoes to also help protect wood floors and carpets especially. This helps to avoid tracking in a lot of dirt and other substances from the outside, and minimize wear on the floors at the same time.
Yes, you guessed it – the '3 shoe rule' is only pack THREE pairs of shoes. For a summer vacation, this typically means a pair of sneakers and two pairs of sandals – one dressy and one casual. It's simple really.
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. 1 Overall, bacteria were detected on the outside of 96% of the 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. Unless we're entering a yoga studio or…well that's about it, really.