Do you take your shoes off before entering a house?
@MashaVickina (2184)
Russian Federation
May 24, 2018 5:31am CST
Hello, everyone!
In my country, everyone takes his shoes off when he comes home or enters somebody's house. I have visited several countries, and in some of them, people were surprised when I wanted to take my shoes off before entering a house, in the hall. According to their traditions, guests do not take their shoes off, even winter boots!
Personally, it was very strange for me for the first time, since we all want our home to be clean. In my city, it is either too dusty or too dirty outside to step to the clean floor in shoes and feel OK. When we go to a drugstore, a mall, or a cafe, many people say "I am sorry" if they see a female who is cleaning the floor (because they know that their shoes are dirty). In Russia, we use slippers at home and have several pairs of slippers for guests. When we have to step onto a carpet, we do it barefoot.
What about traditions in your place? Do your guests have to take their shoes off before entering your house?
24 people like this
30 responses
@LadyDuck (457822)
• Switzerland
24 May 18
I take my shoes off and wear slippers when I enter the house, but it would be more than rude to ask my guests to remove their shoes. It is a matter of different culture and habits. Guests do not come to visit wearing boots, this is also rude.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (457822)
• Switzerland
24 May 18
@MashaVickina It is cold here in winter and people wear boots. If they are invited, they take off the boots in their car and wear normal shoes before knocking to your door.
2 people like this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
Oh, I suppose that it is connected to the weather in your place as well
In -25 C everyone wears boots. I like your tradition
In -25 C everyone wears boots. I like your tradition1 person likes this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
@LadyDuck Oh, really? Wow, so interesting! Thanks for sharing
Wow, so interesting! Thanks for sharing2 people like this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
24 May 18
We have the same culture, takes shoes off before entering a house. But in winter time some families request do not take off shoes as it is cold and floors are too cool. Even if some one told me like that, I prefer to keep my shoes outside house.
3 people like this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
@Sreekala I know that your houses do not have central heating, that is why it is cold in them in winter...
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
24 May 18
@MashaVickina In our house, we use floor mats in winter time, any one can enters even with bare foot. But I told you about other people when we visit their home.
1 person likes this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
@Sreekala I heard about them, but still cannot understand well... Are they like carpets? Or maybe they are connected to electricity to produce extra warmth?
1 person likes this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
24 May 18
I think everyone's habit is different in our country. I like to take off my shoes and put on my slippers when I get inside. The purpose of my slippers is to make my feet comfortable.I won't ask my guests to take off their shoes. If they ask, I'll have them put on slippers I prepared.
3 people like this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
24 May 18
@MashaVickina No, the roads aren't cleaned with special powder or soap. I've never seen this or heard about this. But asphalt isn't as dusty as asphalt-less roads.
The streets in cities are relatively clean because Germans don't throw as many things onto them as the inhabitants of other countries (Italy, for example). Besides, the communities have street-cleaning machines which move through the towns at regular intervals.
1 person likes this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
@MALUSE Oh, really...
Well, we have asphalt almost everywhere, but it is very dusty... I agree with you, but maybe it also depends on the weather
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
@MALUSE I heard that your roads are cleaned with some special powder, like soap... When I visited Germany, I was surprised that at the end of the day out, my shoes were not covered with dust
@DesirousDreamer (34783)
• Peoria, Arizona
24 May 18
I do not, mostly because by the time I get home I am so tired and hot that the last thing I want to do is stand there and take off my shoes haha But I do not keep my shoes on for long when inside my home just to keep the floor cleaner.
2 people like this
@DesirousDreamer (34783)
• Peoria, Arizona
26 May 18
@MashaVickina If I am walking around which is how I go everywhere I don't care what shoe I am wearing (no certainly not heels, those are just impractical and dangerous) but no matter what my feet will be tired haha
1 person likes this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
Oh, I think that you prefer comfortable shoes When I am on high heels, the first thing I want to do is to get ri of them 
even if I am in a coat, I take them off first
When I am on high heels, the first thing I want to do is to get ri of them even if I am in a coat, I take them off first
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
24 May 18
Yes, in India most of the people have the similar culture like yours! But now a days people hardly follow it . Like in winters we hardly remove shoes before entering. May be because of seasonal variations people are bit reluctant to follow the rule. But at the same time hygiene part is being taken care of by regular floor wiping and cleaning! Thanks!
2 people like this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
24 May 18
@MashaVickina . Yes, it sounds logical dear friend! You are absolutely right! Thanks!
1 person likes this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
Because you do not have central heating, and for us, it is vital in winter That is why we can wear slippers and do not feel cold
That is why we can wear slippers and do not feel cold1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
4 Jun 18
If the house is dirty and the houseowner has his shoes on, I will also keep my shoes on. If it is clean then I take off my shoes. Most people have a clean house and appreciate us taking off our shoes. I also have slippers for myself and visitors that I keep by the door.
1 person likes this
@Aquitaine24 (11653)
• San Jose, California
6 Sep 18
it dependson the house.If it has a small floor area and lots of carpet/rugs,I do that.If the house has a large open plan and all wood/cement floors,you can't expect people to take off their shoes and give up the arch support they need.Also if people are accident=prone you dont want to worry about steppin on broken glass or something.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129388)
• Israel
8 Jun 18
@MashaVickina
I thought that was the custom of China or Japan. I am surprised about that in Russia. To answer your question no I do not take my shoes off before I enter my apartment. I have a mat outside the door to wipe my feet on.
1 person likes this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
8 Jun 18
Now you know Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing1 person likes this
@rubyriaz007 (4188)
• India
14 Jun 18
Yes,I take off my shoes before entering a house,I feel you should do it because when we come from outside there will be mud in our shoes.I feel we must wash our legs too if it muddy,or else the house will get dirty.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
24 May 18
For us here, it depends on the household but basically we are allowed to bring our shoes inside the house.
2 people like this
@MashaVickina (2184)
• Russian Federation
24 May 18
@lynnief I also prefer comfort
I also prefer comfort1 person likes this
@nawala123 (20852)
• Indonesia
13 Nov 18
in my house, yes, but every family have different rule on it, but modern family usually yes
1 person likes this
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
24 May 18
I do. Wearing your outside shoes inside tracks so much dirt into the house. Even if you use floor mats.
@id_peace (14005)
• Singapore
25 May 18
Yes it is an Asian culture to do that.
The only exception is if we are visiting official houses of the officers like the president. Even through it is their house, no one stay there officially and hence it is more like an office with all facilities than anything.
1 person likes this
@Sunshine61 (128)
• Slovenia
25 May 18
I take my shoes off in the house, unless i work in a garden before :)
1 person likes this
