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Regarding "house rules" .... that is true. Regarding why they may default to that behavior, and be reticent to comply, it may be "company policy" *shrug*
I think the "shoes off" culture is a bit stronger in the south and in areas where other cultures(e.g. asian, Indian, etc) are prevalent, so it is the "default" behavior for many.
I didn't find the "shoes off" culture to really exist at all when I lived up north, except obviously regarding inclement weather, but then had a bit of adjustment when I moved south and even to a greater extent when having moved to California where the "shoes off" culture was very strong.
I suspect a lot of it is just that, cultural. If one is used to it, then it seems normal. If one isn't used to it, it seems odd. People, especially trades, are then just caught in the lurch when they try to comply with what is more typical in their region and find someone with a different perspective.
I find that even if it isn't required, many people in the south seem to at least appreciate workers/guests offering to remove their shoes. So that is probably where a lot of that behavior finds its roots.
Al
Have lived in the South a long time, never noticed it to be even mildly more prevelant here.
I am actually experiencing a reverse of sorts, ie people WANTING to remove their shoes even when I say it's not needed - in fact I prefer them not to, esp if I don't know them (eg utility people coming in to install cable etc) - and on at least 2 occasions insisted they do not and all but had to demand it. And it's not like it was rainy/muddy out. What the hell? It's my house, respect my wishes or get out.
Have lived in the South a long time, never noticed it to be even mildly more prevelant here.
[snip]
Not to be argumentative, but that is just my impression and observation.
I was born in Louisiana, but then after a brief stint in New Mexico, lived the next 7ish years in Pittsburgh, PA. When I would visit Louisiana every summer, I noticed the "shoes off" being much more prevalent. In fact, it really didn't happen at all amongst most folks up north that we knew.
As I've moved around Texas, Florida, and Louisiana over the last 20 years the "shoes off" mentality seemed more common, less so in Texas though for some reason.
I suppose it may make a difference by the company one keeps too. If one's family and friends aren't likely to take their shoes off, then it wouldn't seem "typical" no matter where you live, and vice versa
Do you take your shoes off when you come in or do you wear them?
-We enter/exit through the garage and have doormats by the interior entry. If I'm only going to be on the first floor and will be going out again soon, I'll leave shoes on (if they're clean).
Do you ever worry about what you have possibly walked through and what you are bringing into your house?
- If I have any reason to believe my shoes are fouled up, then I'll remove them and clean them off.
Do you put your feet up on the couch with your shoes on?
- No. I try not to wear shoes on any carpeted surface in our house.
Do people with babies who are still crawling wear outdoor shoes inside?
- N/A
I have a lot of Asian friends, and we ALWAYS remove our shoes. I do ask that my guests do the same, and ask contractors to wear booties when possible. However, what really annoyed me was when a plumber came by to snake out our drain (because it was backed up). He refused to take off his shoes, due to liability issues.... Anyway, he had asked me to flush the all three of toilets upstairs simultaneously to see if the water backed up, and it sure did! Thus, he created a small overflowing flood the basement with foul-smelling sewage which I saw him wade and walk through, which I then went upstairs, telling him I'll be back in 5 minutes. To my horror, he proceeded to walk up, in his stained work boots, through my white-carpeted stairs, through my living room, just to confirm to me what I just saw. Then, he declared, without asking, "I'm gonna use your bathroom", walked across my kitchen and into the bathroom, flushed (not washing his hands I don't think, but at that point I wouldn't have expected less) and THEN went UPSTAIRS to flush the toilets in the master bedroom and guest rooms. Now I've got unsightly tracks all over the house. I was pretty upset when he went upstairs, and noted this to him, and he looked at me increduously like "what, you don't do the same at your place?" I told him I found it akin to having taken a dump in a toilet, sticking your foot in, swishing it around, and then walking around the home. At that point, I was surprised he didn't walk on my comforter, my dishes and my toothbrush.
I take my shoes off but it's more because I enjoy having my feet be freed from the tyrany of foot coverings thany copncerns about something getting tracked into the house.
When I lived in the SOuth, no. In Northern New England........always! After trudging around in a few feet of snow nothing is worse than coming indoors and stepping in a melted snow puddle in nice, clean, warm socks. Ick! it's just easier to keep up that habit for the other 6 months than have to retrain people.
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