Non-Americans who have been to the US.. What is the weirdest thing about America that Americans don't realize is weird? - eviltoast
  • paddirn@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I grew up in a home where we just never thought about wearing, or not wearing, shoes in the house. Like, we obviously didn’t track mud all over the place if our shoes were that dirty, but if we were wearing our shoes inside, nobody said anything or cared, it was just whatever. Married a Kenyan who put her foot down and was like, “Are you crazy?” It’s apparently a big thing elsewhere in the world. In Kenya alot of roads aren’t paved, things get dusty, and it’s just common sense that you don’t walk all over the house with dirty shoes, so I get it from that perspective.

    • kautau@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Yeah that’s a huge part of it. Few Americans (me included) frequently walk outdoors on anything but sidewalks or paved roads in their normal day to day travels. When I go hiking I take those shoes off before I get back into the car, but my daily driver boat shoes which rarely touch actual dirt? I don’t have a problem leaving those on in most places, my house included. Same I imagine for Americans where their job is construction or something where your shoes are dirtied, take the work shoes off when you get home, but it’s fine to wear more casual shoes

      Edit: what a strange thing to get downvoted about

      Double edit: I guess the first downvotes were just from people who very much don’t like shoes in the house under any circumstances. That’s ok. If I come to your house my shoes will come off. If you come to mine, feel free to leave them on if they aren’t muddy.