Try walking in my shoes

From where I come, shoes are considered filthy. Hence, to walk into a home with shoes on is, to many Asians, scandalous.

Contrary to the Asian culture, no one raises an eyebrow here when shoes tread on homes' carpet, parquet, flooring tiles. Be it raining cats and dogs, snowing or hailing (pun intended) outside.

At first, I would attempt to convince myself that to integrate into the German society, I should embrace their way of life. In another word, to close one eye to certain practices.

After hosting a few parties, I realise I would either have to close two eyes or to refrain from entertaining altogether.

Because my skin crawls each time someone walks into the pad with shoes on.

A research shows shoes contain *surprise surprise* bacteria. Many different species of bacteria on our shoes can cause infections in our stomach, eyes and lungs. These bacteria live longer on our shoes than in other places. As we walk, we constantly pick up new debris that feeds the growth of more bacteria. The bacteria on shoes would then transfer to the flooring tiles in a house. Carpets harbor bacteria even more.

And we have two big rugs on our hallway.

After said parties, I would suffer from sleepless nights. As we were usually too worn out to clean up afterwards, my mind would run wild that bacteria was manifesting itself on the couch, the floor, rugs, toilet, our feet...

I had the sudden compelling urge to leap off my bed and start scrubbing away. Not unlike Cinderella, eh?

Despite my cleanliness streak, I still find it improper and ungracious to request my guests to remove their shoes as they might be uncomfortable in doing so. What if they have foot odour or have ugly toes? A good hostess wouldn't put her other guests at such risks, would she?

To refrain from entertaining is entirely out of question, however. So, I resign myself to the inevitable cleanup after each party. No matter how late it ends...

Last night's barbeque was no exception. Although it was a familiar group with whom we have an unspoken code of understanding pertaining to the no-shoes-in-house rule, a newbie in the form of the friend's new girlfriend was present. Unaware of the code of understanding and seeing the sotong friend had absolutely no intention to casually enlighten her of the shoes issue, I gritted my teeth silently, gave up gradually and traced mentally the route of the pair of flip-flops.

Along the way, I flinched involuntarily when terrace-graced feet were lifted onto the couch. On the bright side, my guests were feeling at home.

Oh, it's going to be a looong night, I groaned inwardly.

The man asked, 'Can't we wait till tomorrow?' after the party had dispersed.

Bloody no way!

He rolled his eyes.

The pad is at last spick and span after some serious scrubbing.

Chilling out with some Woodstock footage on the TV into the small hours, we finally dragged ourselves off to bed.

With a peace of mind and a smile.