Fun Fact #4: BARE FEET

I’m all for removing shoes before entering stores or hotels IF the floor is kept clean. In hot countries everyone wears sandals so it is actually no bother to remove shoes and it can be done quickly.

We have stayed at quite a number of hotels where it is not permitted to wear shoes into the building. Shoes are to be removed at the door step, and every person inside has bare feet. This kind of practice is not done in the West, and I think some people may find it a bit unusual. The only time we found it to be a little strange was at a gas station bathroom that we stopped at while on a bus. We were asked to remove our shoes and put on the slippers that they provided.

That is where I draw the line!!! Wearing shoes others have worn, especially in a toilet… yuck!

During our visit to Vietnam we travelled with Sinh Café (a bus company) a few times we took long haul over night bus rides. The buses consisted of three rows of bunk beds running front to back. Upon entering the bus, we all were instructed to remove our shoes and everyone was given plastic bags to put them in. I completely agree with this practice, firstly it kept the bus really clean. Secondly, who wants to have someone climbing over you to reach the top bunk with their dirty shoes on?

Of course when visiting temples it is customary to remove your shoes as a sign of respect. The only thing that I find annoying in this is the heat of the floor; with the South East Asian tropical climate often times the ground is smokin' hot. It is very uncomfortable to walk over hot tiles or concrete in your bare feet. On occasion there have been so many shoes removed at the entrances that we worry, will my shoes be there when I get back??? So far nothing has ever happened to our shoes… and luckily they have always been exactly where we left them.