In France, it is less common to take one's shoes off systematically when entering one's home or to request that guests do. In the Netherlands it is a little uncommon to take off your shoes at home. Visitors are not usually expected to take off their shoes when entering a home.
Wearing shoes in the house in the Netherlands: it's a thing. For those of us who come from different cultures, it's a strange thing — but where does this custom come from? I've already written about rather interesting Dutch habits, and have since bought a house in the Netherlands.
In many cultures around the world, removing shoes before entering homes is the norm. In most of Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, shoes are never worn inside homes, and it can be seen as a sign of disrespect for guests to enter a host's home without leaving them at the door.
For guests
Interestingly, the 2021 Australia Talks Survey revealed that most Australians did not expect guests to take off their shoes before entering their home (29% agree, 55% disagree). If you're one of that 29%, there are a few things you can do to ensure guests are leaving their footwear out front.
In Australia, many homes have a shoes off policy, but many do not. It is viewed simply as a matter of preference. In many cultures (see map below) it is considered rude and unhygienic to wear outdoor shoes indoors. Here in Australia, the majority opt for the convenience of keeping shoes on, especially as guests.
Asia. Many Asian countries typically follow the tradition of removing shoes before entering a house. In India, Afghanistan and other countries where having carpeted rugs are common, it is considered necessary to take one's shoes off in order to walk on carpeted rugs inside the home.
No, it is not illegal to drive barefoot and in thongs, sandals and slides in NSW. There's no specific penalty pertaining to driver footwear in the state, but there is a rule requiring drivers to maintain proper control of their vehicle while driving.
Because it is comfortable and practical. There is no better way to be in touch with the ground you are walking on than being in bare feet.
We commissioned survey research that has found that nearly a quarter of Brits (23%) wear footwear in the house, but aren't aware of how dirty they actually are. Of those who wear footwear at home, half wear them every day (48%).
The main reason people go barefoot in Australia is the weather. The weather in Australia is hot, except for a short winter season. People can't but go barefoot in the hot weather of their country. Australia is known for its beach, and you know you cannot but walk barefoot there.
After opening the door and welcoming them in, you can follow it with “We have some space on the rack for shoes,” or “There's a comfortable bench just inside where you can take off your shoes.” This way you are communicating to your guests what you expect from them moving forward, without making it seem rude.
In many countries like Germany, Switzerland, Skandinavian countries, Turkey, Japan, Korea etc. it is common use to take off the shoes when entering someone's home. In these countries it is considered a major faux pas to walk through a house with shoes on.
At country level, the distribution of consumption continues gradually to approach that of the population: China and India lead the top footwear consumer markets and together account for almost one third of world consumption.
Japanese have developed the custom of eating meals sitting on tatami mats, not on chairs. They also roll out the futon on which they sleep on the tatami floor. Therefore, they take their shoes off when entering the house to avoid getting the floor dirty.
While in many cultures, removing your shoes when you go into someone's home is a sign of politeness, not so in Spain, where you will be hard-pressed to find a shoeless Spaniard anywhere, be in in the home or on the beach. At home, most wear slippers and at the beach and by the pool, flip flops are the order of the day.
Shoes - you wear them wherever you go
For many of us in Ireland, we don't see a distinction between wearing shoes outside the house and inside the house. In fact, once inside, shoes generally tend to go wherever we go, with the exception of the bath or shower.
The first thing you'll notice when entering most German homes is a collection of shoes by the front door. Though not every German will insist on the removal of Straßenschuhe (street shoes) when entering their homes, they will usually have some comfy, warm Hauschuhe (slippers) ready to hop into.
Modern Custom of Removing Shoes/Wearing Slippers
Besides for personal hygiene, Chinese households often take off their shoes to also help protect wood floors and carpets especially. This helps to avoid tracking in a lot of dirt and other substances from the outside, and minimize wear on the floors at the same time.
Overall, nearly two in three Americans are "shoes off" people when it comes to their own homes, while just over a third are "shoes on" people. Still, most don't have a "shoes off" policy for their guests. Relatively few Americans require their guests to remove their shoes upon entering their homes.
Chinese superstitions enforce the rule: wearing outdoor shoes inside is believed to introduce “bad luck”, a metaphor for germs, into the home. Going barefoot indoors is also unusual; slippers or rubber sandals being worn instead.
Australians are notorious for loving the barefoot lifestyle—and we're not just talking about at the beach! It would not be uncommon to witness barefootedness on the city streets of Sydney, at cafes, or even at the grocery store.
In European nations, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, there are barefoot parks or walks. These parks are kept clean and maintained on a regular basis, so that barefoot hiking can be done in an environment suitable for people who are habitually shod.
Laws on obscene exposure differ slightly across the different states and territories of Australia but according to FindLaw Australia, obscene exposure is illegal in all jurisdictions.
It really is casual all the way in Australia. Outside of the main cities, our advice would be to not bother with dressy clothes. However if you plan to visit city restaurants then you may feel more comfortable in smart casual wear.
While there is no law against wearing heels while driving it is a requirement in all states and territories of Australia to maintain control of your vehicle, and ensure you can operate it in a secure and safe manner.