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You're invited to a friend's home and ready to go inside. You enter, say hi to the hosts, start the tour before they look down. Your dirty boots have been leaving footprints throughout the house, didn't you know it was a shoes-off household? Everyone has different rules when it comes to taking off shoes before you enter the house. However, some countries have set-in-stone traditions when it comes to shoes. Check out what you can expect from the average household in these countries, and keep your sole and conscience intact.

▲Across Northern Europe, it's generally considered unhygienic to leave your shoes on inside the house. Dress shoes and short visits with boots may be accepted, but generally, it's looked down on.

▲This is especially true in Austria and Germany. One custom is carrying indoor shoes in a bag, and Germans have slippers called "Hausschuhe."

▲In the Netherlands, it's pretty normal to take off shoes before entering. However, this rule doesn't necessarily apply for visitors. Slippers are also popular here.

▲Belgium doesn't have very strict rules when it comes to shoes. The repeated phrase "floors are for walking on, not eating off" means locals can trust the clean pavement.

▲It's said that shoes are traditionally left on in the UK and Ireland, unless there's snowy weather or it's a carpeted floor. In recent years, more households have asked guests to take them off.

▲It's generally considered normal to leave shoes on in Italy, but they can be removed for wooden floors. Some Italians consider it impolite to ask a guest to de-shoe.

▲However, in the Italian region of Friuli-Venzia Giulia, it's apparently custom to take off footwear before entering a household.

▲French people are apparently quite nonchalant with their shoe rules. It's not considered custom to take off footwear, and it's seen as impolite to ask guests to remove their shoes.

▲Spanish households can expect guests to leave their footwear on indoors. Slippers aren't too common either.

▲Many have the same attitude in Portugal. Countries with warm climates tend to have drier streets, so welcome mats can be trusted to remove dirt before entering a house.

▲Of course, Eastern European countries vary in their rules, however it's generally expected that guests take off their shoes in the house.

▲However, in Russia, it's expected that guests take off their footwear. Some say it's impolite to ask guests to do so, but it is generally expected.

▲In countries across Southeastern Europe, slippers can be preferred when treading indoors. In countries like Albania, thick knitted socks are popular indoors, and there are even waterproof pairs for the bathroom!

▲Greeks tend to take their shoes off and prefer slippers when indoors. However, it's said that this practice is growing less popular in urban households.

▲Japan is well-known for its tradition of taking off shoes. It's generally considered an honor to be invited to a Japanese household, and shoes are removed in the entrance.

▲This tradition goes way back, and could be linked to how Japanese households host meals on the floor. The rule can also apply to restaurants, shrines, temples, traditional stores, and tea rooms.

▲Granted, India's a big country, but the Hindu tradition of removing shoes can be applied to most religious buildings and households. Taking off footwear can represent leaving negative energy behind when in the house.

▲Of course, China is a huge country too, and the tradition of taking off your shoes isn't exactly universal. It's safe to ask the hosts before you do so, best not to offend anyone.

▲Leaving footwear behind is a big tradition across the Islamic world, especially in countries like Pakistan. Some consider shoes to be the most filthy item of clothing you can wear.

▲In Islamic countries like Afghanistan, where carpeted rugs are common, taking off your clogs is completely expected.

▲A clean home can be a top priority for Iranian families, and taking off shoes can even be commonplace in schools and private businesses.

▲Neighboring Turkey shares the same views, and guests are usually expected to take off shoes at the door. Modern upper-class homes may not share the same expectations.

▲Households may have differentiating views on shoes at home. Traditionally, it's expected, but modern hosts may not ask guests to follow this rule.

▲Before you enter someone's house, it's best you take off your shoes in Vietnam. Expect to leave them on a specific step or in an outside space.

▲It's very traditional to de-shoe in Thailand. Whether you're entering temples, houses, or some schools, it's necessary. There are even sandals that are provided in some bathrooms.

▲The US is big, so shoe rules clearly differ from house to house. There's no specific tradition that says you must take off your shoes within the continental US.

▲In Hawaii, it's customary to take off your footwear before going into someone's home. It's apparently a tradition that was passed down from Japanese immigrants.

▲Generally speaking, Canadians may appreciate it if you do the honors and take your shoes off before you come in. There are schools that require their students to bring indoor shoes, so they don't wear their winter boots around in the halls all day.

▲You can only speak about Brazil in broad terms, but it's apparently uncommon for hosts to ask their guests to take off their shoes.

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No matter where you are, your best bet is to always ask the host about their shoe rules.