[carlmr]

A lot of Europeans, too. Usually when I have a lot of guests I'll tell them they can leave the shoes on. I'll just wash the carpets afterwards and clean the house anyway.

If it's only a few friends I usually ask them to take their shoes off.

But I know many people who always wear shoes inside. I think it's also due to the cold. In Northern Europe you don't want to walk around barefoot, so keeping on the shoes is comfortable.