ShadowSpirit
normal is so passe
- 3 Dec 2008
- 216
- 16
I'm an American born and raised citizen. Spent most of my life in California. Hopefully I can help quench the curiosity of those asking why Americans wear their shoes indoors.
It's a combination of a few things ranging from least important to most...
3) Hygiene: As some have guessed, some Americans are self conscience about their foot hygiene or odor. Yet this usually isn't an issue often enough to warrant not removing shoes. Since usually an American with a problem with foot odor has taken precautions (such as foot powder) to stifle the scent.
2) Convenience: Also a rare reason. Moving in and out of the house several times a day can make taking shoes off and putting them on tedious. It is an excuse used enough times to list as a category, but not enough to define the shared American mindset to keeping shoes on indoors.
3) Casualness: This is the American hallmark in the attitude that Americans tend to share on most things and keeping shoes on is no different. To an American, their home is a place where they want family, friends, and company to feel as relaxed as possible. Work hard, play harder; don't fret the small stuff. That's how we approach life as a philosophy. We figure we have to clean the place anyways, so why bother taking shoes off? This leads to a lot of vacuuming, sweeping, and carpet shampooing.
Now, do Americans think it is more practical to take shoes off before entering the house? The majority of us do. We think it's a great idea actually and oftentimes laugh about how the practice never caught on in America (the practice of removing shoes that is.) Yet it's easier to stick with our routine because some of us Americans don't like to trouble friends to take their shoes off when they come over. Since those friends are used to keeping them on anyhow.
If the shoes are soaked, muddy, dusty, etc.. Then by default we will remove them before entering the house. Usually when we don't wear shoes indoors we will walk around with socks on. It's rare to see American homes have slippers in them. The exception to this is use of bathroom slippers, which some American households do use. Yet very rarely are slippers (bathroom or not) ever provided for guests to use.
As for Americans who place their feet on the bed while wearing shoes. This is rare too. This is one of the rare moments when we say to each other. "Hey man. Whatcha doing? Get your feet off there." Unless it is their own bed, in which case we usually ignore it or might make a comment. "Damn. You're not even going to take your shoes off before doing that?"
Interestingly enough. Even though Americans find it dirty to put shoes on the bed. We often don't care if shoes are placed on tables. It usually depends on what that table is used for however. If it is a table for general use, then it's usually ok. If the table is used for placing drinks on, then also this is often not a problem. If it is a dinner table, then it becomes an issue. However even in this case, it is often forgiven or allowed.
I hope this information helps.
It's a combination of a few things ranging from least important to most...
3) Hygiene: As some have guessed, some Americans are self conscience about their foot hygiene or odor. Yet this usually isn't an issue often enough to warrant not removing shoes. Since usually an American with a problem with foot odor has taken precautions (such as foot powder) to stifle the scent.
2) Convenience: Also a rare reason. Moving in and out of the house several times a day can make taking shoes off and putting them on tedious. It is an excuse used enough times to list as a category, but not enough to define the shared American mindset to keeping shoes on indoors.
3) Casualness: This is the American hallmark in the attitude that Americans tend to share on most things and keeping shoes on is no different. To an American, their home is a place where they want family, friends, and company to feel as relaxed as possible. Work hard, play harder; don't fret the small stuff. That's how we approach life as a philosophy. We figure we have to clean the place anyways, so why bother taking shoes off? This leads to a lot of vacuuming, sweeping, and carpet shampooing.
Now, do Americans think it is more practical to take shoes off before entering the house? The majority of us do. We think it's a great idea actually and oftentimes laugh about how the practice never caught on in America (the practice of removing shoes that is.) Yet it's easier to stick with our routine because some of us Americans don't like to trouble friends to take their shoes off when they come over. Since those friends are used to keeping them on anyhow.
If the shoes are soaked, muddy, dusty, etc.. Then by default we will remove them before entering the house. Usually when we don't wear shoes indoors we will walk around with socks on. It's rare to see American homes have slippers in them. The exception to this is use of bathroom slippers, which some American households do use. Yet very rarely are slippers (bathroom or not) ever provided for guests to use.
As for Americans who place their feet on the bed while wearing shoes. This is rare too. This is one of the rare moments when we say to each other. "Hey man. Whatcha doing? Get your feet off there." Unless it is their own bed, in which case we usually ignore it or might make a comment. "Damn. You're not even going to take your shoes off before doing that?"
Interestingly enough. Even though Americans find it dirty to put shoes on the bed. We often don't care if shoes are placed on tables. It usually depends on what that table is used for however. If it is a table for general use, then it's usually ok. If the table is used for placing drinks on, then also this is often not a problem. If it is a dinner table, then it becomes an issue. However even in this case, it is often forgiven or allowed.
I hope this information helps.
just kidding 
My kids and my Hunny also do the same. It's kinda strange, since we've never instilled this as law in our home. When guests visit, we do not obligate them to take off their shoes because.. well, we don't.
