I’m another Canadian with the un-spoken “shoes off” rule. I have to admit that the thought that people liked to run around with shoes in their houses came as a complete shock to me. I’ve looked back on my (fairly short) life and I think I have identified the limitations of the “shoes off” rule as practiced in my local region in a corner of Canada that is not Vancouver (Vancouver so far, seems mysteriously exempt from the “shoes off” rule).
1.) Houses. A large welcome mat or a separate “entrance” carpet will be provided for the guests. All of the guests, having been properly brainwashed into following my local region’s “shoes off” rule, remove their shoes on the carpet/welcome mat, place their socked-powered feet on the floor (or main carpet) and then happily run around the house. That welcome mat/carpet is always considered “dirty” and not washed very often. (It’s almost considered like a part of the outdoors. There are leaves on it in autumn, nasty salt deposits in winter…) Slippers are not provided. There is not always a chair or a sitting tool provided as guests are expected to be able to remove their shoes without any kind of special aid. Should such aid become necessary, it will be promptly provided.
Exceptions : When moving heavy furniture into the house, shoes are considered necessary. Alternate arrangements (putting plastic on the floor) can be considered in advance. Bringing a “clean” pair of shoes and wearing that is fine. For some strange reason, sandals remain in a grey area between “totally acceptable” and “no shoes, not ever”. You have to ask if you want to keep your sandals in the house.
Anyone found ignoring this un-spoken rule will be the cause of concealed dismay and horror. Having someone wandering around the house wearing shoes would make shoe-less people fear getting stepped on, carpets and floors get un-necessarily dirty and give the impression that that person wants to leave as soon as possible. A polite guest with a special shoe-keeping need should provide a brief explanation and politely ask if running around with shoes is alright.
2.) Restaurants. As a “public” place, everyone keeps their shoes in a restaurent. In the winter, you usually pound your feet on the floor, at the entrance. It’s a completely futile gesture as the stuff (snow mixed with salt) is evil and you can never be rid of it but it makes people feel better to do it.
Exceptions: In an “exotic” restaurant, you will be politely asked to remove your shoes first. They will usually provide slippers. A good part of the conversation (on the first visit) will be about how odd it is that you have to remove your shoes if you want to eat. They will usually have a bench so you can remove your shoes.
Someone removing their shoe in a shoe-wearing restaurant can be kicked out of the restaurant. There are even places (and I’m talking about fast-food places!) that require you to wear socks in your shoes (so no sandals in the summer.) Some fast-foods will permit sandals, but if kids want to go in the indoor play area, they are required to put on some socks. Some places make a habit of selling socks so that the customer doesn’t necessarily have to leave. Generally, if it’s someplace where there are tables you can eat at, you must have shoes AND socks. If it’s someplace where you stand in line and you order what you want, no one will notice the lack of socks.
3.) Dentists/Doctors. They usually make you take off your shoes and provide slippers. They don’t necessarily provide seating to do that. But it varies depending on the clinic.
4.) School. Probably the most complex of all places. In the winter, a lot of students have 3 pair of shoes. The “outdoor” shoe is, as the name suggests, worn outside. When you enter the school, you stamp your feet and walk to your locker. You then take out your more comfortable pair of shoes, the “indoor” shoes and put them on. That consists of stepping out of one of your outdoor shoes, avoiding the puddle that is already gathering on the floor (Some students pack “emergency socks” in their schoolbags…), stepping in an indoor shoe while holding on to your locker door, spending a dreadful minute with a foot in an outdoor shoe and a foot in an indoor shoe, finally managing to un-tie your second outdoor shoe, putting on the last remaining indoor shoe and then (still trying to avoid the ever-expanding puddle) pick up your things and throw your outdoor shoes inside the locker. You then kind of pick a path through the locker room and manage to rejoin puddle-less civilization.
During gym class, there is sometimes a official “change your shoes” rule. So even if you have indoor shoes, you still need gym shoes. In the summer, the same pair of shoes is worn outside and inside and only a second pair of shoe is required for gym class.
Students will sometimes remove their shoes in class. That earns them a nice trip outside of school. Some students keep their outdoor shoes in the winter. They are easy to spot. When the class is over, there is a puddle of stuff under their desk. They may sometimes get glared at but no one ever tells them to get a second (well, a third) pair of shoes.
One last interesting observation. Some people have exercise equipment in their basement that requires shoes. I’ve never seen anyone take their regular pair of shoes and bring them downstairs. A second pair of shoes is purchased and the “clean” shoes are neatly positionned near the exercise equipment.
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