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.
In the Arab world, no shoes are allowed indoors, as the shoes' soles are seen as dirty and unsanitary. Arab Muslims are required to remove their shoes when entering a mosque, as are all adherents of Islam.
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.
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 Asian cultures such as Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam, it is customary to remove shoes before entering someone's home or any indoor space, and it is also considered rude to wear shoes inside. Generally, this custom stems from the cultural tradition of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene within the home.
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.
Reasons to Remove Shoes
Wearing shoes inside someone's house is seen as a sign of disrespect in many cultures throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In countries such as Japan, removing shoes is a traditional practice dating back to an era when people sat on mats on the floor.
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.
The practice of removing your shoes is said to stem from the Zhou dynasty (1046-256BC), when at the time it was part of etiquette to remove your shoes and socks before meeting your lord. People would also sit on the floor to eat at low tables, so the practice also made sense for hygienic reasons.
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.
Taking off one's shoes was and still is a sign of reverence, humility, and respect. This same experience was repeated in Joshua 5:15 when the Captain of the Lord's Army told Joshua to take of his sandals. In 6:2 this Captain is identified as the Lord.
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 discalced congregation is a religious congregation that goes barefoot or wears sandals. These congregations are often distinguished on this account from other branches of the same order. The custom of going unshod was introduced into the West by St Francis of Assisi for men and by St Clare of Assisi for women.
There is a superstition that bad luck will come to a person who places shoes on a table. Another belief common in the North of England is that the tradition relates to the coal mining industry.
Tell them directly that it's time to go.
Tell your guest directly (but politely) that it's time for them to saunter on. You may not want to do it, but your friend will appreciate the directness in the long run and both of you will know exactly where things stand.
I found that the most polite way to tell someone to please leave was not to half-jokingly say, “Alright, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!” Instead, I would wait for a pause in conversation and then say something like, “It's been so great catching up!” This little hint was normally enough for my guest ...
Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler was one of the first to offer a rule for house guests: “The oldest line is still the best – guests and fish begin to smell after three days. Or, like fish, guests should go off after three days.” There you have it – Rule #1: Three days max, even for family.
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.
synonyms for shoes
On this page you'll find 23 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to shoes, such as: sneaker, pump, cleat, tennis shoe, slipper, and loafer.
Wearing shoes or slippers inside is about more than just comfort. Doctors recommend them over walking barefoot at home to prevent injuries and accidents and keep your feet in top shape.
Closets, mudrooms, and garages are often the most popular places people store shoes in houses and apartments. These areas tend to keep shoes out of the way, but still organized for quick and easy access.
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.