A Practical Walk

What Do You Do At Your House?

After having lived in 5 different countries, I sometimes get my cultures mixed up. I’m not only American in my cultural values, I hold things from each place I’ve lived.

Sometimes this causes confusion, like I can’t remember what is normal American culture. A perfect example is something I’ve been contemplating lately. Do most Americans take their shoes off before coming in the house?

I prefer to take shoes off before coming in the door. Barefeet are happy feet in my opinion. I much more comfortable with free feet. But it also keeps mud, dust and stickers (oh Texas stickers!!!) from dirtying up the house. This makes so much sense to me. It’s definitely done in West Africa, but what about here in the US?

So, what do you do? Do you take your shoes off? Do you insist others coming into your house do? And lastly where are you from?

8 responses to “What Do You Do At Your House?”

  1. jesszocal Avatar
    jesszocal

    I’ve only ever lived in the U.S., but I’m a no shoes in the house kinda person too. I’m not sure what influenced me to do that. Maybe the fact that we have a house full of kids that track any and everything inside. But I tend to be relaxed about guests and their shoe preferences.

    Also, hi from NC!

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    1. katyjpryor Avatar
      katyjpryor

      Yes, I think having kids in and out of the house, makes a big difference!

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  2. peggycrane060 Avatar
    peggycrane060

    We often take our shoes off just inside the door if we are staying home or if they are dirty or wet. We never insist that guests take off their shoes, though I have noticed that many prefer to take them off. I don’t think people took their shoes off in Paraguay that I can remember. I have visited homes that did want shoes off and those that didn’t care here in the US. If family is here visiting, I try to have a spot where shoes can go when they come in.

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    1. katyjpryor Avatar
      katyjpryor

      Yeah, I couldn’t remember if people did it in Paraguay.

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  3. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    I love that you have holdovers from each country you’ve lived in. I grew up in a Shoes house, but ever since I’ve been on my own I have preferred No Shoes. It feels more sanitary to me, and, like you said, it keeps outside dirt from getting all over the house. This seems more generational, too — people my age and younger seem more likely to avoid shoes, while people parents’ age find it weird.

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    1. katyjpryor Avatar
      katyjpryor

      You know, now that you mention it, I think you’re right that it could be a generational thing.

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  4. Elisabeth Avatar
    Elisabeth

    We take our shoes off in the entryway, and then tend to go barefoot (or we’ll wear clean, indoor Crocs inside). In my husband’s family growing up they were NOT allowed to go barefoot. My MIL had a basket of socks she would hand out to anyone who visited that tried to go barefoot. She’s from Portugal so I wonder if it was a cultural thing. She also always had slippers for people, too.

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    1. katyjpryor Avatar
      katyjpryor

      How interesting! I’ve never heard of that!

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