Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinMask
I know it's fairly common in the UK when entering a home, because it's just more comfortable and the weather being what it is it's very easy to track in mud and water.
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I'm from the UK and we're pretty laid back about it. If the shoes themselves aren't dirty people don't seem too worried about wearing shoes inside, though as you say, if the weather is bad then you do indeed take off your shoes! I pretty much always take mine off at my home or other peoples'. As you also say, it's just more comfortable. Other people are just as comfortable with or without, though.
As for public buildings in Japan, I never had to take my shoes off in shops or in family / fast food restaurants. However I did in most other kinds of restaurants. At work I did too. I remember at one kindergarten on one occasion stepping out of the genkan having forgotten to remove my outside shoes. The headteacher gave me a death-stare before I immediately realised my error!