People that wear shoes inside their homes; WHY?

[HappyDude20]

I’ve noticed some people wear their shoes inside their homes, whether it be carpeted or hard wood floors.

I found it odd that people wore their outdoor shoes indoors are first but truth be told Lately I’ve enjoyed it.

I don’t enjoy wearing my daily outdoor shoes inside the house however and just bought a pair of New Balance shoes specifically for only when I’m at home.

The best answer I’ve heard from an older couple to wearing shoes indoors is that they are orthopedic and one of them is diabetic, although am not sure why that means wearing shoes indoors at home is beneficial.

As mentioned, he thought of tracking in soot and outdoor dirt is a horrendous thought but walking barefoot at home or with socks on seems I don’t know how to put it in words but kinda lazy. I know being at home is the number one place to be lazy but perhaps this notion is skewed considering the one younger married couple I know that wear running shoes inside their home are super active. They told me that in their mind that once their shoes come off at home then it’s an excuse to just lounge around but so long as they have their shoes on then they foresee themselves being productive.

I know this goes against Japanese culture but for the past week have enjoyed wearing shoes in doors. It’s either gonna be these specific new New Balance shoes I have only for inside my house or my socks that are gonna pick up dirt, but at least these shoes are moving around outdoor dirt inside the house.

Just wondering how rare or common this is and more importantly, WHY?

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Well, whatever you want to do at your own home should be OK. But in my view it is more hygienic to not track dirt and things like that into the house, and my reasons are as follows: Men (children and adult) who urinate at public places create a mess in front of the urinals, and track this mess plus the mess from previous "urinaters" wherever they go, including their automobile carpets. When walking outdoors one can step on all kinds of things (dog poop, traces of vomit, saliva or spit, and so on), so walking into your home with the shoes on, specially if you have rugs, can leave a trail of bacteria or "who knows what" on the floor. Walking at home with socks on or barefooted should not be a big issue unless you walk outdoors with your socks on. Right?

Now, on the funny side, I wonder if I should train my dog to wear "booties" outdoors, and then to take them off before entering the house? "Them dogs" keep their grimy little shoes on wherever the go. Not only that, but if you step on something stinky outdoors and then walk in your house with your shoes on, the dog will have a great time following the trail you leave behind 😅

 

[HappyDude20]

Well, whatever you want to do at your own home should be OK. But in my view it is more hygienic to not track dirt and things like that into the house, and my reasons are as follows: Men (children and adult) who urinate at public places create a mess in front of the urinals, and track this mess plus the mess from previous "urinaters" wherever they go, including their automobile carpets. When walking outdoors one can step on all kinds of things (dog poop, traces of vomit, saliva or spit, and so on), so walking into your home with the shoes on, specially if you have rugs, can leave a trail of bacteria or "who knows what" on the floor. Walking at home with socks on or barefooted should not be a big issue unless you walk outdoors with your socks on. Right?

Now, on the funny side, I wonder if I should train my dog to wear "booties" outdoors, and then to take them off before entering the house? "Them dogs" keep their grimy little shoes on wherever the go. Not only that, but if you step on something stinky outdoors and then walk in your house with your shoes on, the dog will have a great time following the trail you leave behind 😅

I hear you 100%. As a male I know all too well about trying to avoid puddles underneath urinals.

Which is why I was intrigued when a few people invited me into their homes and saw they owned tennis shoes specifically for home use only which naturally led me to ask why wear shoes indoors at all.

The diabetic aspect thing peaked my interest but was too shy to pry why.

The other couple that claims it makes them more productive was also interesting.

One home was purely hardwood floors and others were all carpeted.

Am still wondering if this is a very small minority or if others do it too. I suppose even wearing slippers indoors would count as well.

 

[senseless]

Americans generally don't ask guests to remove their shoes when entering a home and don't usually do it themselves. I don't know why Asian culture is different. Maybe some king or emperor was OCD about it and started the whole shoeless thing. But it does make sense, now that you brought it up.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

I hear you 100%. As a male I know all too well about trying to avoid puddles underneath urinals.

Which is why I was intrigued when a few people invited me into their homes and saw they owned tennis shoes specifically for home use only which naturally led me to ask why wear shoes indoors at all.

The diabetic aspect thing peaked my interest but was too shy to pry why.

The other couple that claims it makes them more productive was also interesting.

One home was purely hardwood floors and others were all carpeted.

Am still wondering if this is a very small minority or if others do it too. I suppose even wearing slippers indoors would count as well.

Some tennis shoes are quite comfortable for wearing indoors, specially if the rooms have ceramic-tile floors, and wood or synthetic floors that are slippery sometimes. Now socks can be dangerous if walking down carpeted stairs. But any sandal that have rubberized soles (or tennis shoes) tend to grip the floor and provide a layer of cushion when you walk on carpet or any other floor.

About diabetics: the reason for wearing well-fitting shoes indoors is because sores can develop on the bottom or soles of their feet, so if walking barefooted they may not realize that sores are present and increase food damage. Some diabetics don't have much sense of "feeling" on their feet. In this case tennis shoes provide a cushion between the bottom of the foot and the floor.

 

[myscrnnm]

Traditionally, slippers are actually worn at home in Japan.

Anyway, the carpets used in houses (at least in America) tend to be a deeper pile and usually in light colors (like a beige or cream color) than one would find out of the home, like at a hotel or office, which to me signals that shoes (at least of the outdoor variety) are not intended to be worn on them.

 

[Mousse]

Americans generally don't ask guests to remove their shoes when entering a home and don't usually do it themselves. I don't know why Asian culture is different. Maybe some king or emperor was OCD about it and started the whole shoeless thing. But it does make sense, now that you brought it up.

Yeah, in my house we don't follow the 😏barbaric practice😏 of wearing outdoors shoes indoors. It's either go barefoot (me) or wear indoors shoes (the missus). Don't go tracking outdoors dirt, filth and germs into the house.😠 This goes double if I had just finished mopping.😡 100x if the floor is still wet.👿👹👺
I provide guest slippers for visitors to wear in my house.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Not a chance for me! I wear house slippers instead. I leave my regular shoes outside so I don't track dirt into the house.

 

[rhett7660]

Right now it is because our house in under construction and not all of the floors are suitable for walking on without shoes.

 

[scubachap]

Generally when visiting someone I was always taught it was good form to offer to slip your shoes off - particularly if going upstairs etc. At the least you make a bit of a play of wiping them on the door mat.

Mind when visiting friends places as a student it was best to keep you shoes on and wipe them on the door mat as you left.

 

[HappyDude20]

Just to be clear, 99% of homes im going entering people tell me to take off my shoes.

But every once in a while people tell me to not worry and that they mop and disinfect every few days, which I’m both impressed by and also disgusted considering the above mentioned example of experiencing puddles near urinals out in public.

 

[BotchQue]

Just to be clear, 99% of homes im going entering people tell me to take off my shoes.

This surprises the hell out of me. The only places I've been asked to take my shoes off, in my lifetime, has been a small minority of Japanese restaurants, and for whatever reason, just recently my sister's house (we grew up together on the farm, and it wasn't done there for sure).
A surprisingly interesting topic.

 

[HappyDude20]

This surprises the hell out of me. The only places I've been asked to take my shoes off, in my lifetime, has been a small minority of Japanese restaurants, and for whatever reason, just recently my sister's house (we grew up together on the farm, and it wasn't done there for sure).
A surprisingly interesting topic.

I don’t even like to lay down on my couch or bed with the clothes I’ve worn throughout the day, but most people don’t go that far.

With that said, I just bought these (pictured) so when people stop by they can have the option of not taking off their shoes if they wish.

I’m currently wearing socks only on my house but sometimes I feel like wearing shoes and am still waiting for my New Balance shoes to arrive in the mail that I’ll purposely only ever wear inside my house.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Just to be clear, 99% of homes im going entering people tell me to take off my shoes.

But every once in a while people tell me to not worry and that they mop and disinfect every few days, which I’m both impressed by and also disgusted considering the above mentioned example of experiencing puddles near urinals out in public.

😂 Boys are messy around urinals because they don't sit to urinate.

But there is something else that is interesting: it seems that most children who are exposed to bacteria and even cold and other viruses when playing with other children, and so on, develop strong immune systems. Regardless, pets will deposit all kinds of "dirt" in the house from outdoors. We too carry all kinds of things on our shoes and deposit them on the car mats and pedals.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I have to wear a shoe lift to help with a leg length difference. I used to wear slippers but they didn’t work so well in them. So I switched to a pair of slip on plimsoll trainer things. But they are only worn in the house.
I don’t ask guests to take their shoes off. We just don’t have guests!

 

[Jumpthesnark]

I have a tiled entryway but my following steps are in a room with light colored carpeting. So when I walk into my house, the shoes come off immediately. After that it's either socks or house slippers as I walk around indoors - I don't wear shoes indoors.

 

[TechRunner]

Socks if I'm going to be on the couch, rubber-soled slippers if I'm engaged in activities. But the outdoor shoes come off at the door.

 

[HDFan]

The best answer I’ve heard from an older couple to wearing shoes indoors is that they are orthopedic and one of them is diabetic, although am not sure why that means wearing shoes indoors at home is beneficial.

Changing to indoor shoes when arriving home serves a number of purposes:

1. Keeps dirt out
2. Protects the feet and toes from hitting things kids have left in unexpected places
3.. Barefoot on flat surfaces isn't particularly good for the feet. It's best to have some arch support according to my podiatrist.

 

[maflynn]

importantly, WHY?

Because I can.

I'm not trying to sound coy, or flippant, but its my home and if I choose to keep my sneakers on, why not.

 

[Expos of 1969]

This surprises the hell out of me. The only places I've been asked to take my shoes off, in my lifetime, has been a small minority of Japanese restaurants, and for whatever reason, just recently my sister's house (we grew up together on the farm, and it wasn't done there for sure).
A surprisingly interesting topic.

If you come to my house you will be "asked" to remove your outdoor shoes. When going to people's houses for a few hours for drinks and dinner, in addition to bringing wine I also take shoes that I only use indoors. More comfortable, looks better than sitting and walking around in just socks, and reduces the odds of slipping on hardwood or tiles. In my own house, our outdoor footware is removed upon entering.
I was under the impression that everyone who cares about their home and hygiene does this but it seems I was wrong.

 

[maflynn]

hygiene does this but it seems I was wrong.

I care about my home and hygiene but we don't ask, or expect visitors to remove their shoes. Maybe its a cultural thing because most people I know here in the northeast don't expect people to remove their shoes when visiting

 

[Expos of 1969]

I care about my home and hygiene but we don't ask, or expect visitors to remove their shoes. Maybe its a cultural thing because most people I know here in the northeast don't expect people to remove their shoes when visiting

Who knows. I think it is cultural in some cases but personal preference or upbringing or habit in other cases. I grew up further northeast than you (Montreal) and my parents instilled that in us kids.

 

[jagolden]

One word: Legos

 

[Expos of 1969]

One word: Legos

One more word: What?

 

[maflynn]

One more word: What?

Ever step on one barefoot? You would know - having kids with legos, it turns your floor into a mind field