Why don’t Americans take shoes off inside the house?

[Anonymous]

I am Asian American and grew up without shoes inside the house and assumed this was the norm. My husband is American and is used to a no shoes household, but he’s not as fastidious as I am about it - if he needs to pop back into the house to get something he will leave shoes on. I don’t make a big deal about it.

His parents however, wear shoes inside all the time, unless it’s something like rain boots or snow boots. Otherwise they’ll put on sneakers or dress shoes, go about their business outside, and keep them on when they return. This includes wearing outside shoes in their bedroom and bathroom, not taking them off until bedtime.

I find this very puzzling as they are very neat and hygiene minded people. They live in a beautiful, expensive house, they pay for weekly cleaning and specifically ask the cleaners to mop all the floors, and they are generally pretty paranoid about things like germs. So how come they don’t mind all the gunk that’s on the bottom of their shoes? They live in a very urban part of DC so it’s not like they only go out to drive , and use public transportation, too.

Is this common among Americans ? If it’s relevant they are in their early 60s. Every time they visit and wear shoes inside our house I am so uncomfortable but I don’t want to be rude and repeatedly ask/remind them.

[Anonymous]

This again?

[Anonymous]

We have a no shoe house and its a cheaper, inexpensive house.

[Anonymous]

I wear shoes in my house. We are on a slab and have crappy laminates floors. If I go barefoot or wear something without support my knees and back hurt. My dad wears shoes inside because he needs the stability and traction they provide.

[Anonymous]

You yourself said you’re American. Puzzling how you ‘other’ Americans when it is convenient for you, but probably get all up in arms when people ask you where you’re from.

[Anonymous]

It is more of a thing in western snowy muddy states like Montana and Idaho. In those states boots and shoes are removed and put in a shoe tray upon entering the front door.

It is also more of a thing in farming states like Iowa and Ohio. Farmers remove their muddy boots and put them in boot trays upon entering the kitchen.

Easterners work professional jobs and are not ranching or farming. Easterners are cultured and have vacuums and cleaning services to clean the floors so shoes in the house are okay as Easterners are not working on farms or ranches.

[Anonymous]

I’ve had a no shoes house since I was 18 and got my first apartment. I’m a third generation American. I think it’s becoming increasingly common for people to have no shoes rules. As for why it wasn’t common in past generations? I don’t know, but might have something to do with the types of shoes Americans wore (boots that were a pain in the butt to take off and put on) vs the thongs and slides Asians generally wear. I have friends from Vietnam who grew up without shoes at all, so I guess a no shoes house is the default when you don’t own any shoes at all.

[Anonymous]

I’m Asian American and didn’t wear shoes growing up in my house. But I knew that some American families did. How you did not pick up on that is troublesome. My ILs wear shoes in their own home, because it’s their home and they do as they please as they should. When they come here they change into a pair of crocs inside.

[Anonymous]

First you shouldn’t be surprised that everyone is not like you in thinking about this somewhat arbitrary policy.

Second we don’t have floor heating like parts of Asia so that impacts how the tradition evolved.

[Anonymous]

There are 50 gazillion threads about this. If you so interested in the debate, do a search.

[Anonymous]

Blue blood easterners in the business and professional classes would think it exceptionally gauche to remove shoes and walk around a house in barefeet or in sweaty socks.

[Anonymous]

Another shoe thread?

[Anonymous]

Not this again.

My husband is from Kansas and his family is shoes off.

[Anonymous]

Because it’s gauche

[Anonymous]

Why aren't you people hovering?