[wolfrainvn]

From my perspective of an asian, i think i know it is why such an important issue. I think i it meant more than just to not dirty the floor, it meant the respect of the visitor for the house and the house's owner.

This is a personal experience, when i was i kid i remmerber my parents always tell me to take off my shoes when entering somebody house. This one time i was visiting my friend house who is also asian, i forgot to take off my shoes and he scolded at me " Oi man, take off your shoes, gee asian no respect!!!" It's funny how he said it, that 's why i still remembered it.

So yeah, i think respect and customary are the most approriate explanation why Japanese making such as fuss about it. LOL.... i know this cause i know how asian feel about respect and disrepect.