[madsushi]

Especially in rural areas, where I would say 9 out of 10 people leave their shoes on inside the house.

[sjtrny]

Really? Wouldn't it make even more sense to remove shoes if you live in a rural area where you are more likely to be stomping through mud.

[po]

really... I don't get it now but it made sense when I went to visit my family.

Now that I live in Japan, I can say that it is really weird when I go back home. I usually take my shoes off and every now and then I step in a wet foot print from someone who just came inside from the rain and really wonder why it is like that.