Indoor use of shoes

[KARL]

Can anyone explain to me why so many people in the UK appear to consider it rude to remove shoes indoors - including those that are muddy (and of course almost inevitably carrying traces of dog excrement, given the quantities found on public surfaces - although things are getting a little better in that department)? It is very common to see on TV people wearing outdoor shoes even when lying on sofas and beds - surely a singularly bad example, but obviously not regarded as such. It has been suggested that if ordered to strip off one item of clothing at a time some would cling to covering their feet longer than covering their loins. Also, one suggestion claims that fear of embarrassment on exposing smelly feet is the explanation, but this is an example of the chicken-and-egg syndrome: wear shoes longer and your feet will smell more. The trail of dirt on carpets in so many private houses cannot be anything but an ovious pointer to the results of wearing outdoor shoes indoors, but still it continues. The most plausible explanation I have heard refers to the low indoor temperatures for which Britain is famous, but this is now changing (or has changed) since, following Britain taking up foreign habits, more than 50% of homes now have adequate heating (although many still only use it at certain times during certain months, not simply always when it is too cold for comfort - contrary to popular southern belief, Scotland is not greatly colder than England and Southern England is not a tropical paradise where heating is rarely required) so the need for warmth by wearing shoes must be falling - slippers are not a necessity either, although the elderly probably find them useful. I appreciate humour but please only send me a humorous reply if accompanied by a serious one. KARL

[cupra]

I certainly don't consider it rude to take off my shoes - if anything, I think it's ruder for people to walk straight into a house without at least offering to take off their shoes (I know the consequences, having a light coloured carpet in my hallway!).

[Cactus]

I'm being serious here, but i can't honestly say i've experienced any situation where i've offended anyone by taking off my shoes when entering their house. Everyone i've come across seems either not to care, or to be appreciative of my jesture towards their carpets! Perhaps i will ask in future, just in case someone is offended. I have to admit, i don't like wearing shoes for any longer than is absolutely necessary. I hate my feet getting hot, and therefore smelly. (everybody's feet would smell if they were couped up in a pair of Adidas all day!) For this reason, i'm not ashamed to take my shoes off because i know my feet aren't sweaty and my socks are clean. Perhaps that's why i've never noticed anyone get offended. Please don't take this as an "I'm Mr Perfect and my feet don't smell" because i assure you they would if i were to wear a pair of trainers for 12 hours or so!

[jakesi]

I agree with what your saying Karl, another example of this countrys fuddy duddness is walking barefoot in public.A friend of mine was once stopped in a supermarket because he was barefoot(it was 90c outside)and asked to leave,but he did explain to the manager that if he had stepped in dog s**t he would soon know about it and promtly clean it off, himself wearing shoes wouldn't realise until he'd smelt it. So whats more hygienic. He did agree but it was company policy.

[blackfive]

Here in Australia, it is accepted practice that if you visit someones home, you remove your footwear before entering (and I don't just mean thongs). I was brought up in the UK and did find it took a little while to get used to the custom, but now it's second nature. Must be a cultural thing.

[Kelvin]

In Sweden too, it's considered to be impolite NOT to remove one's shoes when enetering someone's house.

[Janetx]

I would be horrified at being expected to remove my shoes, unless, of course, they were messy, or the person were japanese.

[Clerk1981]

I agree that the practise of wearing shoes indoors in Britain is utterly stupid. Why have a carpet if you walk on it in shoes? In any case, it is very unhealthy bringing lots of dust and dirt (chemicals as well as germs) into your home.

I think the reason for hosts not asking visitors to remove their shoes is the desire to show off one's money. If people seem worried about wearing out their carpet, they will appear to be tight in the pocket. The consequence of this is that people have really filthy homes and children with asthma.