Family customs

We usually connect removing shoes before entering the home with a Japanese custom. In fact, the practice is common throughout Asia as well as Scandinavian countries and in Hawaii and Alaska.

Leaving our shoes at the door keeps dirt and mud from being tracked into the houses and saves wear and tear on the carpets and hardwood floors. Culturally, it is a way of showing respect by keeping the house clean and maintaining quiet as well.

Leaving the shoes outside is also symbolic of leaving the world outside. In removing your shoes, your body lets your mind and spirit know that you are transitioning from work and other concerns to the sanctuary of your home. That idea appeals to me. Our homes should be a sanctuary, the place where you are yourself and at peace.

“Home is the place where it feels right to walk around without shoes.”