Shoes in the US

[baja_yu]

Do people in the US really walk around their houses in their shoes? Every show I watched everyone just prances around with shoes on, they lay in their bed with shoes on... I don't think I've ever seen anyone take their shoes off. Is this just how it goes on TV or do people really do that?

[Hack]

I don't know anyone that does not walk around the house in their shoes. Some people remove their shoes and put on slippers, but nobody walks around bare foot. I mean come on...you have to have something on your feet.

[baja_yu]

I have socks on. Slippers are fine.
It just doesn't seem very hygienic to me, especially putting them on the bed. Not to mention if it is wet (raining/snow) outside. Must be a cultural thing. I'm not sure about the rest of Europe, but it's completely opposite here. But then again I don't like wearing shoes for long periods of time. Usually when I get home I can't wait to take my shoes off.

[Hack]

I have no idea what hygene would have to do with wearing, or not wearing shoes, but I'll take your word for it.

If the shoes are dirty/wet, then they must come off at the door if you are married simply because your wife will do unspeakable things to unmentionable parts of your body if you dirty her floor.

If you are not married, then removing dirty or wet shoes upon entering the house or apartment is optional. It was an option, when I was single, that I rarely availed myself of.

[FunkyDexter]

I have a kitten who's currently engaging in a dirty protest. Bare foot is not an option.

[baja_yu]

Hygiene comment was only to the fact that the soles of the shoes get dirty outside and I don't prefer dragging that inside. Regardless of that, I see no reason why keep them on, at least in my own house. My feet are much more comfortable without them.
Some formal occasions, guests visiting etc is ok, but for day to day activities, I'd rather have some comfortable slippers or just socks on.

[InvisibleDuncan]

Do people in the US really walk around their houses in their shoes? Every show I watched everyone just prances around with shoes on, they lay in their bed with shoes on... I don't think I've ever seen anyone take their shoes off. Is this just how it goes on TV or do people really do that?

I've always thought that a little strange. Take your shoes off when you enter the house, or you could be treading anything into your carpets.

BTW, Baja - I thought all badgers were sarcastic.

[BackWoodsCoder]

I usually take my shoes off in my own house and walk around with socks because it's more comfortable. I have a pair of slip on shoes too if I need to walk outside for a smoke. If I'm over at a friends house I don't take them off unless they ask me to. I've only known a few friends in my life where I was required to take my shoes off before coming in. They were either Asian or had a mom who spent every waking minute with a duster in one hand and a mop in the other.

[baja_yu]

BTW, Baja - I thought all badgers were sarcastic.

I wanted to put in "A Particularly Sarcastic Badger" but it wouldn't fit

[abhijit]

I have noticed people don't take off shoes when they visit friends' houses either.

Unless you're visiting Hindus.
In that case, you have to remove your shoes and walk barefoot or wear slippers.

[NeedSomeAnswers]

If the shoes are dirty/wet, then they must come off at the door if you are married simply because your wife will do unspeakable things to unmentionable parts of your body if you dirty her floor.

Ha-ha yes, my Girlfriend is like that everyone must take off there shoes off when they enter our house because there would be hell to pay if they dirtied her floors !

I have kind of got used to it now so its automatic.

[kfcSmitty]

I'm Canadian, so not technically the same, but I always take my shoes off when going into the house. My brother and father on the other hand, keep their shoes on almost 24/7.

[techgnome]

I do out of comfort mostly... I have three dogs and a cat, so the carpet gets dirty any ways, shoes or not. When I visit someone else's house, I look for shoes around the door... or I'll ask.

-tg

[demotivater]

I wear shoes in the house all the time unless it's almost bedtime or something like that. As for tracking junk into the carpet, we have this crazy thing in the U.S. called a vacuum. That and a regular cleaning routine tends to keep things in shape. One thing I CANNOT stand is shoes on the bed or couch cushions, though. Ick.

[JuggaloBrotha]

I don't know anyone that does not walk around the house in their shoes. Some people remove their shoes and put on slippers, but nobody walks around bare foot. I mean come on...you have to have something on your feet.

Where the heck are you from?? I've only known 1 person who wears slippers inside. Everyone else I know will either wear socks or be bare foot when in their house (or a friends house).

[dilettante]

I have to wonder... do the "shoes must come off in the house" people take them off at work too?

[JuggaloBrotha]

I have to wonder... do the "shoes must come off in the house" people take them off at work too?

I do, only in my cube though cause I have an office job.

[InvisibleDuncan]

I have to wonder... do the "shoes must come off in the house" people take them off at work too?

Nope, because at work I don't lie down on the floor to play with my kids.

[InvisibleDuncan]

...we have this crazy thing in the U.S. called a vacuum.

We've got those in the UK, too. Open up the head of any Big Brother contestant and you'll find one.

[baja_yu]

It all depends on the surroundings. If I'm visiting someone I abide by their wish, if they say shoes on, fine, if they say shoes off, fine too. Like I said, I don't find any footwear comfortable compared to not wearing any. During summer I'm usually barefoot, not even socks. When I'm in the countryside (house, back yard etc) I walk bearfoot outside too. For my own comfort I take every chance I get to take them off.

Vacuums are fine, but they wont get out the crap I walk over every day (living in the city) like gum, oil/petrol slicks, and who know what other poop/crap you can step into.

[JPnyc]

Must be different in Michigan. I almost never wear any type of footwear around the house unless it's cold.

[NeedSomeAnswers]

We've got those in the UK, too. Open up the head of any Big Brother contestant and you'll find one.

[baja_yu]

That's interesting. In my country all BB contestants have at least a masters degree.

[demotivater]

We've got those in the UK, too. Open up the head of any Big Brother contestant and you'll find one.

Sounds almost as good as the U.S. version. Barf.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I wear slippers.

Frankly, to shoe or not to shoe seems to depend on several factors. We wore whatever we wanted inside when I was growing up, but that was in a certain area. Where I live now, there is a particularly clay-rich soil of a type that forms a terrific dust when dry, and the most incredible goop when wet. Basically, if it is wet, I can't walk into the garden, as I have found nothing to which that stuff won't stick in ever growing quantities. Within a dozen steps I have five pounds of mud on each shoe...seriously. I can shake off big wads of it once it has accumulated sufficient mass, but I can't shake it all off, and never have less than a pound. Wearing those shoes anywhere leaves big wads of mud all over the place. Nasty stuff.

I'm rambling. Whatever. Just got back from driving across the country.

[shauninstein]

Many times i have noticed the US people walk around their home with the shoes. They often use to wear the shoes during the sleeping time also. But for the people in US, it is hygenic and it prevents from causing some disease. During the regular activities also they often wear the shoes. Wearing shoes in US is one of the common principle find with them.

[MasterBlaster]

I have socks on. Slippers are fine.
It just doesn't seem very hygienic to me, especially putting them on the bed. Not to mention if it is wet (raining/snow) outside. Must be a cultural thing. I'm not sure about the rest of Europe, but it's completely opposite here. But then again I don't like wearing shoes for long periods of time. Usually when I get home I can't wait to take my shoes off.

I've been in a few houses where it's actually hygienic to wear shoes indoors.

Generally I take my shoes off indoors. I have hardwood floors so it's easy enough to disinfect in case I forget. I have young children at home. One of them crawls, so the floors are routinely disinfected anyway. Carpet isn't very hygienic regardless if you wear shoes or do not wear shoes. It's even worse if you have pets.