Taking your shoes off...etc...

More than once or twice or instances that are more than my fingers could count...I have encountered in my office that I would meet employees from India entering my office and would go through the motion of removing their shoes/slippers and be on their bare feet while I would be telling them to stop as I really do mind and wish that they don't have to remove them...Although I know that In India it really is good manners to take your shoes off before entering someone's home and I do also know that it's a prerequisite before entering a temple or mosque o always remove your shoes which is customary. Once time I also went with a south asian friend to an internet calling station where everybody leaves their shoes on the door but when I looked inside that place it was really dirty to be on bare feet or socks either!!!

Somehow I got this thought that maybe removing your shoes is a sign of respect which is not uncommon. Anyway I know the Japanese remove their shoes when they enter their homes because its customary and hygienic because they sit around on the floor with Tatami mats.

But in my country in the Philippines the guess aren’t expected to take their your shoes off every time you enter someplace or their homes except in the rural areas because of the presence of animals and dirt all around...where its truly a sign of respect but in the urban places not having to remove your shoes is non-issue, I would normally tell my gues o enter my home and no need to remove their shoes. I know that its dirty but guest are exempted in his case. Even though it is house rules that one should take off their shoes and change to slippers upon arriving home such "rules" do not apply to guest. Anyway I just find it awkward and rude to ask people to remove their shoes after inviting them in if they are my guest...without any alternatives such as slippers to offer...ha is if they might be uncomfortable with feet smelling and socks with holes in them....and If I have to clean up after with their shoes on my home...its my reward for requesting their presence in my abode....and that I would gladly accept...