Walking bare feet around the house
@allknowing (130292)
India
October 15, 2015 10:10am CST
Here in India one is expected to remove their footwear before getting into most homes.
They do that when they come to our house as well. But I do not insist that seniors do it. I am a senior and I do not walk bare feet and expect to be excused when I visit others.
This custom is followed while visiting temples too
What is your custom?
11 people like this
13 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Oct 15
I am barefoot all the time in the house and in summer I never put shoes on unless I go to the store.
3 people like this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
15 Oct 15
Your house must be having wall to wall carpeting. We normally have carpets in the hall and bedrooms.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@allknowing We have hardwood floors, tile in the bathrooms and only two area rugs.
2 people like this
@piyushap (25)
• New Delhi, India
15 Oct 15
this custom is followed in our country india for ages. it also has a scientific reason behind it! it is just to prevent harmful germs that our shoes carry from outside, to enter into the places we reside.. i.e temples, houses, etc... it is done to keep the environment clean and healthy! 
3 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
16 Oct 15
In the old days , that is also the practice here in some parts of the Philippines . But times have evolved and it's not anymore .
Though , in our bedroom , we also are barefoot . You should leave your slipper by the doormat before you enter our bedroom .
Though , in our bedroom , we also are barefoot . You should leave your slipper by the doormat before you enter our bedroom . 1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
Most who visit us always leave their footwear at the entrance door but I do not insist that seniors do it. i wear slippers in the house.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
16 Oct 15
@allknowing It;s good that the seniors are exempted .
1 person likes this
@yukimori (10143)
• United States
15 Oct 15
It's not customary in our area, but we always remove our shoes when we come into our apartment.
I greatly prefer being barefoot. Most of the time it hurts to wear socks, never mind shoes... I get strange looks for wearing sandals all through the year, but cold feet are better than the alternative!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
15 Oct 15
Why should socks hurt you? But I was told in cold countries it is necessary that feet are covered.
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
@yukimori Most It is also good for the carpets to be barefooted when inside.
1 person likes this
@yukimori (10143)
• United States
15 Oct 15
@allknowing I have a medical condition that makes me sensitive to things like the texture of fabric. I can't wear denim jeans anymore, either.
Where I live it doesn't really get cold enough that it's an issue. I'll wear boots if it snows, but for things like driving the kids to school when the weather's clear I'll just wear sandals.
@allknowing (130292)
• India
15 Oct 15
But I am sure if an Indian visits you they will remove their shoes not so much Christians but Hindus.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (460784)
• Switzerland
16 Oct 15
@allknowing NO, they do not because they have acquired local habits and it would be considered bad manner to see someone removing his shoes.
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
15 Oct 15
It pretty much depends on the weather here in New Zealand. If it's rainy, folks tend to leave their shoes at the door but in summer they are just as likely to keep them on inside when visiting. I think this might have something to do with a fear of smelly socks!
2 people like this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
Homes where there are carpets people expect that shoes are removed.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
16 Oct 15
or holes in their socks @troyburns or odd socks.
or odd socks.1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
16 Oct 15
Walking bare feet in the house is quite common in the tropical countries but there are still those who would put on indoor sandals. However, if you are in a temperate country, walking bare feet would not be practical especially during the cold autumn and winter seasons.
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
The cold floor sometimes does not agree with many. But one can have slippers for home use only as I have.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
I too feel the same. Carpets are not meant to be trampled upon
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
@valmnz We did that when we were kids too but later got used to wearing footwear
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
I wear slippers both inside and outside.
We have a carpet only in the centre and so walking on that cold floor does not agree with me. How can you walk outside is puzzling. Is the ground not rough?
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
16 Oct 15
@allknowing kids grow up going bare foot from an early age, especially when playing outdoors. It gives more freedom.
@allknowing (130292)
• India
15 Oct 15
You mean you remove your shoes whenever you visit others as well?
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
16 Oct 15
Just because they go barefoot it does not mean that is good for health, specially on hot metal as you say
@DeborahDiane (40105)
• Laguna Woods, California
15 Oct 15
My husband and I generally take our shoes off in the house, and so do my children and grandchildren. I only do it in the homes of others, however, when I notice that they take their shoes off. Some people do not like bare feet.
@allknowing (130292)
• India
15 Oct 15
In some households here shoes are kept right at the entrance in a shoe cupboard. They feel shoes carry germs.
@DianneN (247216)
• United States
15 Oct 15
My son won't allow anyone to wear shoes in his home, mostly because of his young children who play on any floor available. We wear shoes here, but take them off before entering our bedroom, only because the carpet is light. Basically, I only wear flipflops or slippers at home.
