Im not sure why Americans started doing that.
The Japanese do that, like so many of their other rules of etiquette they expect you do that as tradition, like the weird sitting on the feet thing, to assure to are at a disadvantage should you attack.
I dont want people spreading foot cooties around my house and I dont want to wear someone elses cootie slippers or trusting them that they cleaned up properly (staples, broken glass, hooks and nails).
I find it offensive really but I know a lot of people are doing it now. But its to save on the carpets! Some people should really put more thought into the carpet. I knew a family that lived in a small house meaning the living room was a good chunk of the square footage. They blocked off the living room, only the mom was allowed in there to dust. In a house full of men she decided she needed long not quite shag white-ish carpeting.
I think I got left behind. Someone was just telling me that “everyone” in the midwest does that now. I guess Ill just stay out in the boonies being the best American barbarian I can be.
The main difference here in NH we wear boots in the winter.
There is rock salt and other ice melter products on my driveway and sidewalk.
I do not want to bring that salt/sand and dirt into my house.
Then in March/April it is MUD season.
Then finally come May, June , July, August, Sept you may not need shoes.
So, depending on the temperature. Dictates the required footwear.
Today it is boat shoes. Tomorrow it is supposed to snow again. It will be back to Timberline hiking boots. We are supposed to get another 3-6” by Saturday morning.