Walking around barefoot in someones house. Is that proper??

Answer 1

Many people don't like barefooting but it's really mostly a prejudice that bare feet should be really dirty or smelly. Bare feet that have been bare since they were last washed do not smell. It's not truly dangerous or unhealthy; these 'shoes required by the health department' signs you see on stores are FALSE, there are no actual Health Dept rules in the US nor anywhere else. But unfortunately such myths and urban legends about barefooting, plus the fact that feet *do* often smell when they've been encased in closed shoes all day, mean that many people don't like bare feet. So if you're in someone's house who dislikes feet, then it wouldn't be proper ettiquette to go barefoot. On the other hand, not everyone has a problem with bare feet and there are also quite a lot of people who actually prefer their visitors to take off their shoes, and leave all shoes/boots at the door! So if you're concerned about proper ettiquette, just ask...

Personally I don't care about ettiquette on this point; I never wear shoes, anywhere, for nobody.

Answer 2

Depends on where you are and who you are with. I'm from Alaska and no one wears shoes in the house because of the snow. It is impractical and rude to wear snowy boots all over someone's carpet. It is expected that you take off your shoes. That being said, most people wear socks when they wear boots. The barefoot thing doesn't come up nearly as often.

As for the people, I'd follow what the hosts do. I'm from an Asian family and am used to taking off my shoes no matter what. It has taken years of training to not automatically take off shoes when I enter a house. I think I get cut a lot of slack because of my Asian background when it comes to taking off shoes and people write it off as a cultural difference. However, I've now trained myself just to wait and see what the hosts do before I enter and bite my tongue with my American friends walk all over my carpet in their shoes.

Answer 3

If the host and their family is barefoot it means they like to keep their floors/carpets clean. Yes, go barefoot, it is proper. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

Answer 4

Only if they ask that you take your shoes off at the door and your wearing sandles. It could be just as offensive to someone to walk around with shoes in there home as it might be to walk around barefoot in someone else's home. Follow what they do. I personally have a sign at my front door requesting to take your shoes off at the door, so as to avoid confusion or embarrassing someone by asking them to remove there shoes after they've alrady trekked in dirt all over my carpet.

Answer 5

If it is in the trailer park, then sure, probably it's no problem. If it is a Korean or Japanese house, it might actually be expected. But it is not really acceptable elsewhere. Americans wear shoes in the house for the most part.

Answer 6

I think it depends on whose house it is and how well you know them. Barefoot at your parent's house, probably okay. Barefoot at your bosses' house, probably not okay. If you frequently wear sandals, put a pair of slippers or slipper socks in your purse if you're visiting someone's house.

Answer 7

Are they close to you? Like a best friend or a relative? If not, then why are you barefoot in their house?

Answer 8

You know, that depends a whole lot on where you are and the social norms of the country.

Coming from Asia, it is expected to remove your shoes when entering someone's house.

Answer 9

I don't do it for 2 reasons:
1- you never know what all you're walking on...
2- seems a bit low class to me

If I take my shoes off at the door (custom here), I make sure to have socks or my own slippers along

Answer 10

If you presently trust them; and they do not mind you walking barefoot there or prefer it; Yes.