Why don’t Americans take off shoes and socks when entering homes?

Question

In other countries (even Canada) people take shoes off before entering home so why don’t Americans do the same?

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

Many places they do, but a lot of it depends on local conditions. Places that get plenty of snow, or mud, tend to be places where you take your shoes off before going inside. But much of the US is either temperate or desert, and much is also paved, so in those areas, your shoes don't typically get very dirty.

I live in the suburbs of California. Unless I am working on a construction site (which I do a fair amount of), I am almost never off the pavement when walking outside. There are paved streets or sidewalks everywhere. And we get no snow and only about 4 weeks of rain a year. Most people spend less time outside than I do - only walking across paved parking lots - so there's not much to get their shoes dirty. Lots of people wear white athletic shoes here, in fact.

In the northern states, where snow and mud are much more common and last much more of the year, the traditions are different, for very sensible reasons.

Lliam · Accepted Answer

I have lived in the U. S. all my life. It is customary with very few people to remove their shoes when they enter a house.
Imagine a dinner or cocktail party where people in suits and fashionable dresses remove their shoes? People just don't do that.

I only remove my shoes for comfort when I plan to stay in the house. But I leave them on and walk all around the house if I plan to go back out soon. I sometimes go in and out a lot. I rarely wear flip flops or slip-on sandals. And when you wear shoes with laces, it's a hassle to take shoes off and put them back on all the time.

I rarely walk in filth outside, so my shoes don't get dirty. I'm not germ phobic, and I don't have a clean fetish.

I am uncomfortable and feel it odd when people ask me to remove my shoes.

TheRealPepperPotts · Accepted Answer

In Hawaii (US), it's rude to not remove your shoes and they have signs everywhere asking you to do so before entering a home. On Kauai, their red dirt stains everything horribly; they actually dye shirts with it.

In my home (US), people remove their shoes. I usually point out where they can put them if they aren't accustomed to it. But most people are good about it.

hanabunny · Accepted Answer

At home I take off my shoes and usually wear house slippers but I'm Asian-American so, lol. But from my experience people usually do take their shoes off in American homes unless they aren't dirty and/or they plan on leaving the house again soon.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

What would be the point, if we're not gonna stay there? at the moment, I HAVE to have shoes and socks on all the time (when I'm not sleeping) thanks to edema. Are you gonna force me to take those off and let my feet and legs swell up just to come into your house? Especially the ones I'm wearing now, it's a BIG hassle to put them on so, once they're on, they STAY on `til I'm ready for bed!!

Dinklex3 · Answer

We do. Everyones different, but you take your shoes off at the door and have your “house shoes” near by.

FreyaRed · Answer

I wouldn't like if guests walk without sock in my house. Putting shoes off in a house with a clean floor is obligatory. Maybe in US is everything a stable or saloon.

ManOnFire · Answer

This is probably true, although I am an American who  always  takes my shoes off the moment I come in the door, but not necessarily my socks.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

Have not evolved from muddy floors. Shoes were always wore into dirt homes.  we all take off shoes or change into in door socks or slippers. We don’t like our floors dirty.

strateguy632 · Answer

To save time. Oh and once i tried no socks so the dust caked up my feet. I tried only socks and they turned gray from dust so better shoes indoors.

goaded · Answer

Shoes, but not socks, over here. Nobody wants your stinky feet on their floors! And it's only if the owners do the same. Watching US TV, they even wear their outdoor shoes on the bed.

Taniisokay · Answer

What's wrong with socks on? I am not American

bobby_bush_eater · Answer

It depends on the situation but I often take my shoes off out of respect to not dirty the floors lol.  Socks though? Why would I take off my socks?

Zoi1986 · Answer

Shoes if person were visiting wants that way. Never heard anyone taking off their socks. If I have no socks it’s cause I’m in flip flops.

Anonymous · Answer

What sort of idiot takes their socks off? As for shoes, we are advanced and have things called floor mats so we don’t have to leave our shoes outside in the snow/rain/sun/etc.

Nifrayu · Answer

Canada is in America.  I don't have the energy to make sure my floors are always clean, so I don't require anyone to take off their shoes in my house.

alice55 · Answer

Literally everyone take off their shoes in France they do it too

DrPepper12 · Answer

Fuck that noise. Y'all not making past the front door without removing those nasty things on your feet! ✋🏻🚫🛑

jahaims · Answer

It's common to take shoes off in an American home. I have all hardwood so idc if someone walks in my house with shoes on.

Anonymous · Answer

Shoes and socks?  Naw dood. Keep the socks on!

getpucksin · Answer

If you get your fuckin toes out at my house, you can just put your shoes back on and leave.

Staximus · Answer

Because Americans didn't usually walk around barefoot inside their houses

exitseven · Answer

If my shoes are muddy I take them off

Anonymous · Answer

Because the Canadians suck and they can keep the snow

dustybiker2 · Answer

My family does.

Apple1996 · Answer

I take off my shoes at the door

lightbulb27 · Answer

Poor training. Not part of culture. We do

noohair · Answer

This is not part of American Culture.

Ladsin2 · Answer

Smelly feet?

Anonymous · Answer

shoes, yes, take them off. but socks, why?

aquamarine321 · Answer

It’s the culture not to

Dongie · Answer

Because we don't want to.

Crazzyyworld · Answer

Americans are slack

In_Trance · Answer

You asked this question exactly the same last week

RedInnocent69 · Answer

Some do.

Why don’t Americans take off shoes and socks when entering homes?

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