As Turks, we are very sensitive about this issue, even the thought of entering the house with shoes is bad; It’s a behavior that can hurt mothers.
Even after we put our shoes on when we leave the house, we realize that we forgot something inside. At such moments, we are too lazy to take off the shoes and either crawl inside or try to walk so that the sole of the shoe touches the floor the least and without stepping on the carpets.
So why is an action that is so dirty for us not considered dirty in many cultures of the world, especially in America?
Let’s examine this map first. As you can see, in some parts of the world it is possible to enter the house with shoes, while in others it is not.
- Blue: Where shoes are worn at home
- Green: No shoes at home
We are part of the green part, and we are not alone in this. The number of people entering the house with shoes is also quite high.
Why is it still possible to enter the house with shoes when there is a high probability of walking on dirty things such as mud, dust, dog poop outside?
This is simply a cultural difference. In these cultures, the amount of dirt and microbes on the bottom of the shoes is ignored. In a culture, walking into the house with shoes on may be disgusting, but in this culture, eating with your hands may be considered disgusting by Americans. In other words, the thoughts we live and “accustomed to” shape people like play dough.
Taking off shoes at someone else’s house can make people in this culture even more nervous.
Because being in someone else’s house with socks or bare feet feels uncomfortable. Just as there are “don’t step foot on this site anymore” reproaches on social media, no one wants to see a foot in another house. Moreover, if it is neglected and smells, it will cause even more discomfort.
The appearance of stains on the socks that remain in the shoes all day will also cause uneasiness. If you are in the house of someone you are not very intimate with, removing your shoes will cause a situation like staying in underwear because it is seen as a very private thing.
The style of floors in homes may have shaped this culture.
You can’t easily see a carpet in American homes, and if there is, it doesn’t cover most of the floor like we do. The floor is often hardwood. Carpet has an important place in our culture, it should not be polluted. Naturally, this may have led to keeping shoes out of the house.
It may also be the opposite, because the shoes are worn at home, the carpet culture may never have settled. Obviously, the dirt on the soles of the shoes is not given much importance due to the rapid cleaning of the parquets. Even the floors of mosques and churches clearly reflect this culture.
It may be perceived as rude when an American asks someone to take off their shoes when entering their home. Because it is implied that the guest is unclean. Still, the number of Americans who do not wear shoes at home is substantial.
Let’s look at the subject objectively: Is it more logical to wear shoes at home or not?
Judging by what reflexologists say; Walking around barefoot at home increases our blood circulation and thus improves our sleep quality. As reflexes on the soles of the feet are stimulated, inflammation, pain and tension are reduced.
“Reflexologist what?” if you say; They are specialists who apply the complementary medicine method, which provides supportive treatment for various ailments by applying pressure to the nerve endings in the hands and feet. Various disorders are tried to be cured by massaging certain points.
Environmental chemists are also on our side; When you enter the house with shoes, one third of the dirt accumulated in the house comes from outside. In fact, bacteria entering from the outside can strengthen the immunity of children, but some of these bacteria and microbes can become resistant to drugs, causing diseases that are difficult to treat. Especially asphalt road residues, endocrine disrupting grass chemicals can cause serious dangers.
How can we find the middle way?
Giving slippers to guests must be the most logical solution, which is in our culture. There are even slippers that are only removed when guests arrive.
Frankly, although there are some logical aspects to the idea of being at home with shoes, there is nothing like the feeling of freshness that airing the feet in shoes and socks all day after work/school.
An old African proverb says, “When you leave your shoes on the doorstep, you leave your troubles behind”.
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