“European homes”? It’s definitely not a thing as a general rule in Eastern Europe, but I can’t say I’ve experienced that in Austria, Germany, France or Spain either.

It’s not outdoor shoes. At least here in Germany many people have a pair of indoor shoes that never get out. Also often the soil is drier so there’s less chance of bringing in dirt

Saw it in the UK as well. Worse — teenagers propping their dirty shoes on fabric bus seats.

As a Gen Xer, my generation wears shoes indoors much more than our parents, and the next generation even less. Also, in areas with large Asian populations (Southern California) or very dirty / muddy/ sleety weather it is very common to have indoor and outdoor shoes.

What’s weird in the US is that sometimes people think it’s the people who ask you to take off your shoes who are rude and not the ones who are wearing their muddy ass shoes all over the house.

I have never in my life seen a person just walk in with their shoes on in Europe. That’s unbelievably rude

It is not common all over the US and not usually done during all seasons.

In the part of the US where I live, it’s warm 11-12 months a year. I drive everywhere when and my shoes don’t get very dirty. It is usually not a big deal to wipe the shoes on the outdoor and then on the indoor rug and then walk into my closet to put them away. We have tile floors in every room and it is very easy to mop.

Asking guests to remove their shoes is considered weird and tacky.

American here. It’s not common to wear outside shoes in the house.

We’re in U.K. & I do notice our British friends / handyman tend to just barge in without taking their shoes of adding,”oh, nice flat!”