[munchhausen]

> I wonder if this contributes to the higher rates of hepatitis and related illnesses in Asia -- and that in turn to the custom of removing shoes before entering households.

Removing shoes before entering households is standard practice in quite a few (most?) European countries as well, so I imagine it is not related to higher rates of hepatitis and subsequent fear of infection.

(Frankly, from a subjective viewpoint, I consider this custom to be related mostly to common sense. It seems mind-boggling to me not to remove shoes before entering your home. Not only does it keep your home cleaner, but it is more comfortable to boot.

The only valid exception would be not asking guests to remove shoes, since they may not be comfortable with that.)

[illumin8]

Frankly, I always considered it extremely rude and boorish to not remove shoes when entering someone's house (I'm american, if it matters). Think about it- would you drag an object through city streets, gutters, mud, sewage, and other bad areas, then drag it all over the floor of your house?

[gojomo]

Of course, if that's the host's custom, guests should follow it as well. But many hosts don't take their own shoes off.

While you never know what's on the streets, well-off areas of the US generally have clean, dry walkways -- it's rare for sewage to be tracked about. We have comparatively little dirt/mud/feces-transmitted disease -- such as typhoid, hepatitis, cryptosporidiosis, or various other waterborne parasites.

And, North American children face rising rates of allergies and autoimmune disorders, which, if the hygiene hypothesis is to be believed, are made worse by too little exposure to mild pathogens from unclean environments.

So the most health-promoting custom might vary a lot by region.

[eru]

It's customary to remove your shoes in at least Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. British people are strange. They keep their shoes on.

[hellweaver666]

It's not a national custom, but a lot of people do take off their shoes when entering a house. It's the first thing I do when I get home - even more so if it's been raining because we have cream coloured carpets throughout the house and my wife would rip my balls off if I was to walk mud through the house ;)

That said, I quite often take my shoes off at work as well.

[oihuyjfrgtdfghj]

Until they move to Canada - then they remove them again. I always got looks for removing my shoes at work, it's much more comfortable to wear socks.

[eru]

I often remove the socks, too. Depends on the temperature.

[oihuyjfrgtdfghj]

It's very good if you are handling static sensitive electronics. Sweaty feet and a concrete floor is much better than nylon carpets and plastic shoes.