why does koreans remove their shoes when entering a house?

Answer 1

It's our culture. We observe cleanliness by keeping the outside dust outside. Because our culture roots back to sitting and sleeping on the floor we see it as fitting to keep the floor clean. Would you go to bed in your work clothes?

Answer 2

All Asians do this, not just Koreans. Also, this is performed in a lot of other cultures such as Middle Eastern as well.

This is as a sign of respect when entering someone's home. My family are Caucasian Americans, but I grew up in Taiwan. My family quickly started doing this as well, and to this day, we all do not allow anyone to wear their shoes in our home.

It keeps your floors very clean also. Who wants to lay on the livingroom floor, where the $hit that was on your shoes was spread on? Not me.

Answer 3

First, it's not just Koreans - it's many Asians and should be universal.

Second, have you ever seen what's on the bottom of your shoe?

Third, have you ever not removed your shoes and then walked around the house for a few hours in a house with all tile floor and no rugs? - it's disgusting, and it gets ground into the rugs, rugs you lay on, play with your children on, and pet the cats on.

Answer 4

Many Asian cultures do it I'm sure but there are two reasons for it. One is out of respect, the second is to keep the floors from getting dirty and scratched up, and I'm not very sure since but i think that like many old fashioned Japanese floors it is made out of a different material that costs a lot but I'm not very sure.

Answer 5

Not just Korean men but mostly almost many cultures including Asians do that. It's basically showing or giving respect.

Answer 6

its true, its part of our culture and has mostly to do with cleanliness..my mom would beat the crap out of me if i even tried to take one step in the house with my shoes..you will find this in many cultures and now that im older i am the same way no one can enter with their shoes on.

Answer 7

It's part of the culture, and I'm pretty sure its a sign of respect. Most Asian cultures do it, not only Koreans.

Answer 8

I'm sure it's because it's easier to keep a cleaner house. It's not just a Korean custom either

Answer 9

Most Koreans sit on the floor and eat so if they have walked our the feacee gardens in Seoul they would be tracking in fecal matter and then its against their religion to eate feace laden food. So they remove their shoes and stack them in the refigerator with Kimchi to make the kimchi flavor and aroma come out real good. Most Koreans scrub themselves with Kimchi which is why they smell like Kimchi just like the saudi arabians smell of camel urea.

Answer 10

It's actually a Japanese custom, I may be wrong though. From what I hear entering a house without shoes is just a custom.