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..in the house. Yes or no?
Being from a Turkish/muslim background, I find it strange to not take of your shoes in your house. God knows what you are carrying under those shoes. People/dogs pissing, spitting and what more outside. I really wouldn't want to take those germs inside. Yet, in many Western cultures, people rarely take out their shoes inside of their houses.
One of the few ''cultural shocks'' I experienced growing up in the Netherlands was not taking of your shoes in the house. I remember it very well. I was very little (3-4 years old?) and went to a Dutch friends house for a 'play date'. As soon as we were in their house I started taking of my shoes, the parents of my friend were like 'Ooh no, you don't have to do that'. I thought it was very strange and kept insisting on taking of my shoes. But they won eventually. I still remember how strange it was..walking in their house with my shoes on. I felt like I was doing something really naughty.
And even now, after having visited over dozens of Dutch houses of friends, I still find it weird to not take off my shoes in their houses.
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