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Is it appropriate to wear shoes indoors?
Indian-American entrepreneur
Vivek Ramaswamy has become the focus of an online debate after an old video of him giving an interview barefoot resurfaced on social media.
Ramaswamy, who recently announced his 2026 bid for
Ohio governor, faced criticism for appearing without shoes, with many online users deeming it inappropriate.
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The interview was conducted at his home last year. However, clips from the interview circulating again have triggered a fresh wave of negative reactions.
Some comments even included remarks such as “we aren’t in India,” taking a jab at the common Indian practice of going barefoot indoors and removing shoes before entering a house.
The discussion over whether to wear shoes inside the home is longstanding, but what does science say? Should you wear your shoes indoors?
Let’s find out:
The shoe removal debate explained
There are various reasons why people prefer to go barefoot at home. In some cultures, it is an expected practice, while others do it to avoid bringing in dirt and germs from outside.
Intercultural communications scholar Lucyna Aleksandrowicz-Pedich describes removing shoes before entering a home as “a symbolic act of crossing the boundary between the public and the private.”
In India, it is common to leave shoes outside the door and wear slippers indoors. In New Zealand, walking barefoot is widespread both inside and outside the home. Meanwhile, most Germans opt for designated “house shoes” instead of wearing the same footwear they use outdoors.
So, do experts agree on whether shoes should be removed indoors? Not quite. Their opinions are as divided as those of the American public.
Dr Priya Parthasarathy, a podiatrist with Foot and Ankle Specialists of Mid-Atlantic, told TIME Magazine, “No one is meant to walk on hardwood floors all the time. That’s very different from walking on soft, grassy terrain, or the beach. You’re walking on engineered wood.”
While etiquette experts remain split on the issue, scientists have gathered substantial evidence suggesting that shoes carry unwanted dirt indoors. However, the extent of the health risks associated with that dirt remains unclear.
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Why you should not wear shoes at home, according to science
A 2023 analysis revealed that over half of all indoor dust particles originate from outside, with researchers warning that everything from lead to faecal matter can be carried in on shoes.
“Indoor dust had higher median and mean trace metal concentrations for every element analysed compared to corresponding garden soil,” the study stated.
Carpets, in particular, tend to trap outdoor dirt.
“Carpets are reservoirs that act both as a source and a sink for indoor dust,” a team of environmental experts said in a 2019 study on how carpets influence indoor chemistry and microbiology.
According to National Geographic, the study explained that inhalation or ingestion is the primary way people may contract illnesses from contaminated carpets. However, the full extent of health risks is still being investigated.
Meanwhile, a group of environmental chemists studying household contaminants weighed in on the shoe debate, concluding that wearing outdoor shoes indoors is not just bad for carpets but it is, in fact, scientifically unhygienic.
According to The Guardian, experts estimate that around a third of indoor dust comes from outside, much of it brought in on shoe soles. Researchers have found “a high prevalence of microbiological pathogens” on footwear.
“Add in cancer-causing toxins from asphalt road residue,” scientists explain, “and endocrine-disrupting lawn chemicals, and you might view the filth on your shoes in a new light.”
Across many cultures, leaving shoes at the door is seen as a sign of respect, a superstition, or even a health-conscious practice. Reflexologists suggest that walking barefoot can improve circulation, enhance sleep quality, and stimulate pressure points on the soles of the feet, helping to reduce inflammation, pain, and tension.
Encouraging guests to remove their shoes can also help reinforce your household rules and ensure they follow suit.
Kelly Reynolds, a professor and environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona, told American magazine Real Simple, “Contaminants on the floor don’t always just stay there. Bacteria are like magnets – they stick to dust particles, and if a person or a pet stirs up dust on the floor, the bacteria-infused particles can be resuspended in the air, where you can ingest or inhale them and be exposed.”
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Why you should wear shoes at home, according to science
If you regularly clean your floors and do not have young children crawling around, occasionally wearing shoes indoors may not pose a major health risk. However, reports suggest that certain contaminants will still be present regardless.
Walking barefoot for extended periods can put excessive pressure on your feet, potentially leading to inflammation and serious issues. Hard floors, in particular, are a common cause of foot problems.
Dr Priya Parthasarathy told TIME magazine, “I saw a lot of people coming in with fractured toes and feet from accidentally kicking furniture or tripping over pets.”
Such injuries can be especially worrisome for people with diabetes, who are more susceptible to foot-related complications. Wearing sneakers provides better stability than walking barefoot or in socks.
Dr Nicole Brouyette, a senior staff podiatric surgeon at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, recommends keeping two sets of shoes.
Speaking to TIME, she said to wear regular outdoor shoes for errands such as going to the gym or grocery store, while keeping a separate pair exclusively for indoor use.
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The Vivek Ramaswamy debate
An image of Vivek Ramaswamy sitting barefoot in his home caused controversy online, with many reactions carrying racial undertones.
One X user, sharing a screenshot from the interview, wrote, “Vivek will never be governor of Ohio. This is unacceptable for America.”
Another user posted, “Not even eccentric billionaire behaviour, just straight-up third-world uncle energy.”
Not everyone agreed with the criticism.
Commentator Ian Miles Cheong dismissed the outrage, calling it the “dumbest argument” he had heard. He posted on X, “I guess too many people grew up on sitcoms where they wear their shoes in bed.”
Ramaswamy himself addressed the debate, saying, “This is America, folks. I let the dogs out in my house when I feel like it.”
With inputs from agencies