shades fills you in

In 2008, a study from the University of Arizona found that there are a lot of bacteria on your shoes -- making a strong case for taking your shoes off when you go inside

Eleven years later, The NYT responds with more science: While shoes do bring germs in, they’re pretty harmless

Then, a WSJ Op said they’ll be keeping their shoes on no matter what their host wants. After all, scientists say that a little E.coli -- as gross as it sounds -- isn’t going to harm anyone

The WSJ Op broke the internet. People flocked to social media to share their outrage, reports Newsweek

This TikToker reacts to The WSJ Op: There’s no way the author’s editor doesn’t hate them

A Guardian Op was mad, too: Wearing shoes in a shoe-less home is disrespectful of your host’s wishes. Not to mention, strangely American

The Conversation Magazine: Shoes need to be off once you step into the house. It’s science!

LiveStrong: Experts agree that the bottom of your shoe is most likely really gross. And by wearing your shoes inside, you’re inviting the nasties to live on your floors. Just take them off

But Men’s Health is an indoor-shoe-apologist. They say wearing shoes inside can help with foot pain

And Well+Good writes that wearing running shoes inside can give you a productivity boost

Maybe the preference boils down to cultural differences. For instance, it’s common for people in the Netherlands to wear their shoes indoors

While Japan has a well-practiced custom of leaving shoes at the door

This Twitter user created a map that shows how different cultures across Europe feel about shoes in the house. Check it out here

The Beaverton -- a satirical “news” source -- suggests that Netflix introduce a “Canadian filter” on American TV shows, by removing appearances of shoes indoors

We took to the streets and asked people if they wore shoes in their house. Check out our TikTok here

One person had especially strong feelings, saying wearing shoes in the house is “absolutely disgusting”