Something that struck me about intercultural behavior was the habit of wearing shoes into the house. When I was young, I was taught to take off my shoes when entering a house, be it my own or the others. I have taken it to be the correct thing to do since young.
However, an experience in my teenage years made me realized this intercultural behavior. I was invited to this American family house for house warming. When I reached the doorstep, I had this natural reaction to bend down and take off my shoes. But, I quickly realized that everyone was walking in with their shoes on. At that point in time, I was taken aback but decide to go with the flow and wear my shoes in as well. Inside, everyone else including the host was wearing their everyday shoes and walking around.
This was unusual for me coming from a Asian family where taking off shoes before entering a home was a norm. I was wondering why they don't take off their shoes when entering the house. They are just bringing in dirt on their shoes into the house.Other than it being a bit troublesome to take off your shoes when entering the house, I feel that it is a sign of respect for the hosts as they would not have to clear the dirt left behind by your shoes.
Then I asked the host about why they wear shoes around their house. They told me that it is the cultural back in their country. Their rationale was that they are not sure whether the floor is dirty in the first place and they would not want to dirty their feet. They would only take them off when they go to bed or into the shower.
Personally, I feel that they were a bit selfish but then again this is their culture. I guess it would be wise to check out first the cultural behavior of the people you are meeting first to avoid any possible conflicts. I was lucky that this intercultural behavior difference was to my convenience ;)
However, an experience in my teenage years made me realized this intercultural behavior. I was invited to this American family house for house warming. When I reached the doorstep, I had this natural reaction to bend down and take off my shoes. But, I quickly realized that everyone was walking in with their shoes on. At that point in time, I was taken aback but decide to go with the flow and wear my shoes in as well. Inside, everyone else including the host was wearing their everyday shoes and walking around.
This was unusual for me coming from a Asian family where taking off shoes before entering a home was a norm. I was wondering why they don't take off their shoes when entering the house. They are just bringing in dirt on their shoes into the house.Other than it being a bit troublesome to take off your shoes when entering the house, I feel that it is a sign of respect for the hosts as they would not have to clear the dirt left behind by your shoes.
Then I asked the host about why they wear shoes around their house. They told me that it is the cultural back in their country. Their rationale was that they are not sure whether the floor is dirty in the first place and they would not want to dirty their feet. They would only take them off when they go to bed or into the shower.
Personally, I feel that they were a bit selfish but then again this is their culture. I guess it would be wise to check out first the cultural behavior of the people you are meeting first to avoid any possible conflicts. I was lucky that this intercultural behavior difference was to my convenience ;)
