I asked this in the "Lounge", curious what the general consensus was. I said:

I'm wondering... if you're going to someone's house, when you walk in the door, is the first thing you do is take off your shoes? Do you take off your shoes in your own home? Does it depend on if you know the person, like it's a friend or family or not?

(this probably seems pretty stupid, but for the longest time, when I was younger, I always noticed on TV how people never took off their shoes, and thought it was an 'American thing" LOL ... Then when I finally knew someone who was American, I asked him, and he said NO WAY would he take off his shoes in someone's house that he didn't know. I just thought that was bizarre, and have always wondered if it's a common thing)

Anyways, now that I have access to all you wonderful people, I have a good way to find out this thing that has bothered me forEVER!

I personally think that is IS a normal thing that we do in Canada, but... hey... I haven't been everywhere, so I'd like to know what you guys do. So, I'm making the same poll, to ask you Canadians specifically!

CAUTION!

CLEAN FREAK ALERT!

I freak out when people, and sometimes my good Canadian friends, don't take their shoes off in my home.

BLAAAAAAAAAAAA

PS, I apologize for the bad language. But this topic sure gave me a good laugh this morning.

What?!? You mean there are Canucks out there who don't take their shoes off!!! Report them to the RCMP! Take away their passports! LOL

Paula you rock! I totally agree. So disgusting. I like my clean house too!

I go visiting people in their own homes for my job. Sometimes I have to wipe my feet (shoes) on the way out. You would not want to take your shoes off in those homes.

I always take my shoes off when entering someones home. And I don't wear shoes in my house - unless I was already on my way out with my shoes on and forgot something in the other room and I know my shoes are clean then I make a quick exception. Although one house I went to once, to look at a kitten, there was no way in hell my shoes were coming off. The place was absolutely disgusting I was afraid to even breathe let alone take my shoes off (no I didn't buy their kitten). So unless an exception needs to be made for a place like that then they always come off.

What?!? You mean there are Canucks out there who don't take their shoes off!!! Report them to the RCMP! Take away their passports!

:pound: .............................

This is so funny, thought you were asking if we take our shoes off when we have our fill. Well, I think it definately has something to do with being Canadian, maybe the climate and messy weather, we just know better and what comes off our shoes after being outside. I've had relatives from Tennesee stay at my place in Northern Ontario, none of them took off their shoes, their grandson played outside and came in the front door(livingroom) with crap all over them. Of course I said something. I would never go further than the door without taking my shoes off. Although often I will tell elderly people to leave them on, it's easier for them and often safer walking on tile etc.

I take my shoes off and I carry a pair of fold up cloth slippers to put on at all times. If I know I am going to visit someone, I carry my shoes that I intend to wear in the house. I am thinking of a party and my dressup shoes. Hate to be in a gorgeous dress (when I reach goal) and walk around in bare feet. What do others do? Doddie

This thread reminded me of a trip my husband and I took about two months ago.

We live near Vancouver and took a drive down to Issaquah Washington (just south of Redmond) for a car meet.

One of the Americans there asked where we were from, we said outside of Vancouver, and he replies something like "oh wow, so you're from Canada. Must be getting really cold up there. Do you have a lot of snow yet?", in which I replied "buddy, we live an hour away, our weather is the same as yours".

Then a buddy of ours (who happens to be aboriginal) said "yeah, I just finished building my igloo".

OMG we were LAUGHING and the guy was so embarassed!

Hi Bert99. I live in North Vancouver. How in heavens name did you make it over the border. LOL Doddie

Hello everyone, Sherriberry is back, hope everyone is well.

Cheers

Where did you go?

Interesting question... Is it the first cultural habit that all Canadian share coast to coast? Including people from Québec? Is this will become a symbole of canadian unity? :tongue:

Interesting question... Is it the first cultural habit that all Canadian share coast to coast? Including people from Québec? Is this will become a symbole of canadian unity?

Oui, c'est bien possible. Cela me fait rigoler.

When I first moved to North Carolina 10 years ago it was a culture shock at times. I noticed the shoe thing pretty quick and when I asked they told me they considered it rude to take your shoes off that I was making my self at home. My favorite question through the years is always - Do you have Christmas?

I work in the US and at home I take my shoes off in the US not as much anymore I just honestly prefer being barefoot so I tend to slip shoes off fast anyway.

My favorite question is Thanksgiving... what do we have to give thanks for? I usually answer that we aren't american, we don't have george bush as our leader or what do you think the exact same thing you guys give thanks for traditionally a good harvest.... our is just earlier than yours for most of the country. Although I am so glad that cdns never really picked up on the green bean casserole thing or sweet potatoes with baby marshmellows... no matter where I am in the country when my friends invite me to those are served and i just don't get either of them... canned green beans, mushroom soup and fried canned onions.. ugh