Removing footwear before going into someone else's house is seen as a sign of respect in certain cultures. Yet in the U.S., many worry that this request comes across as rude. But there may be good reason for you to ban shoes indoors.
A 2018 survey showed that a significant 87% of Americans report taking off their shoes while at home. 31% say they will "always" remove their shoes inside their house, while 26% say they do so "most of the time."
But when it comes to asking guests to do the same, the prevalence is much lower. Around 50% of Americans admit that they never ask guests to take off their shoes. And out of those who specifically say they always take off their own shoes at home, only 25 % said they expect that the same from their visitors.
Maybe you think it's rude to do so. Or maybe you see it as an inconvenience. Regardless of the reason for your hesitation, experts say you really should be making sure people leave their footwear at the front door. A no shoe policy can help maintain cleanliness and hygiene (卫生).
According to Godoy, a cleaning expert, banning outdoor footwear can "significantly reduce" the amount of dirt being tracked indoors.
Wearing shoes indoors can introduce bacteria and other stuff to your floors, which can build up over time and turn into a real problem. In fact, a major study from microbiologist Charles Gerba found that harmful bacteria such as coliform and E. coli can be detected on the outside of 96% of shoes. These contaminants (污染物) can then be spread throughout the home when people walk around indoors with their shoes on.
"Removing shoes at the door can help prevent the spread of these contaminants and promote a cleaner, healthier living environment," says Zeeshan Afzal, a medical doctor.