"Welcome! Shoes off please." In many Asian countries, removing shoes when you enter someone's home is expected – it shows respect and ensures cleanliness. In other places, such as the UK, however, the social norms are more ambiguous. Some Brits might have a strict "shoes off" rule, while others may be squeamish about seeing others' socks or bare feet. What do the scientists say? “欢迎！请脱鞋。” 在许多亚洲国家，预计进入某人的家时，脱鞋 - 它表现出尊重并确保清洁。 但是，在其他地方，例如英国，社会规范更加模棱两可。 有些英国人可能有严格的“鞋子”规则，而另一些人可能会因为看到别人的袜子或赤脚而感到沮丧。 科学家怎么说？

If you remove your shoes at the door for cleanliness, you're probably thinking about the visible dirt – urban dust, mud and grass that has hitched a ride from the outside world on the sole of your shoe. But the real problems are microscopic. A review of research called 'Shoe soles as a potential vector for pathogen transmission' found a high prevalence of dangerous bacteria on shoe soles, which could lead to illness. Children under five are particularly at risk because of their closeness to the floor and developing immune systems. 如果您在门口脱下鞋子以保持清洁度，那么您可能会考虑可见的污垢 - 城市灰尘，泥土和草，这些灰尘，泥土和草已从鞋子的鞋底上搭便车。 但是真正的问题是显微镜。 对称为“鞋底作为病原体传播的潜在载体”的研究的综述发现，鞋底危险细菌的流行率很高，这可能导致疾病。 五岁以下的儿童由于与地板的亲密关系和发展免疫系统的危险尤其危险。 

Germs aside, shoe soles can also bring in nasty chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, exposure to which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, according to a study by Muhammad Sarwar, published in Cogent Medicine. Allergens such as pollen can also enter your home via your shoes, which can be a big issue if you suffer with hay fever or have respiratory issues. Isn't your home meant to be a safe haven? 根据3种细菌，鞋底还可以引入令人讨厌的化学物质，例如农药和除草剂，暴露于穆罕默德·萨瓦尔（Muhammad Sarwar）的一项研究中，可能会引起头痛，头晕，恶心和呕吐。 过敏原（例如花粉）也可以通过鞋子进入您的家，如果您患有花粉症或呼吸道问题，这可能是一个大问题。 您的家不是要成为避风港吗？

But it's not just about hygiene. Going shoeless can improve things such as balance, body awareness and strength and stability in your muscles, according to a medically reviewed article called 'Does Walking Barefoot Have Health Benefits?'. "In theory, walking barefoot more closely restores our 'natural' walking pattern, also known as our gait," explains foot and ankle specialist Jonathan Kaplan. 但这不仅与卫生有关。 根据医学审查的文章，“肌肉中的平衡，身体意识，力量和稳定性”等文章称为“赤脚行走是否有健康好处？”。 “从理论上讲，赤脚行走更接近恢复我们的'自然'步行模式，也称为步态，”脚脚踝专家乔纳森·卡普兰（Jonathan Kaplan）解释说。 

In cultures where a shoe-free home is the norm, the reasons are backed by science. And in places where the rules are less clear, maybe it's time to think about leaving our outdoor shoes at the threshold. There's an old African proverb that states "When you leave your shoes at the doorstep, you leave your troubles behind." 在不含鞋子房屋的文化中，原因是科学支持的。 在规则不太明确的地方，也许是时候考虑将我们的户外鞋子留在门槛上了。 有一个古老的非洲谚语说：“当您将鞋子留在门口时，您会留下麻烦。”