To shoe or not to shoe? That is the question — usually asked while one foot is already halfway through the front door.
Some households happily wear shoes indoors; others treat the entryway like an international border for footwear. There are practical reasons for going shoeless: shoes can track in dirt, moisture and whatever mysterious substance was on the parking-lot pavement.
There are cultural traditions behind it, too. In Japan, for example, removing outdoor shoes before entering the main living space has long been customary, helping distinguish the outside world from the clean interior of the home. Similar customs are common in many Asian, Scandinavian and other households.
So, should your home be shoes-on or shoes-off? Your house, your rules. But when visiting someone else's home, assume your shoes may be coming off. Watch what your host does, look for shoes near the entrance, and when in doubt, simply ask.
Good manners, unlike muddy footprints, are always welcome inside.