Thinking that there is no reason to take your shoes off is the most American thing in the world. There is poop, pee, puke, pollen, pollution, parvo and prions out there, among other things.

In Japan the entryway of a house is usually a step lower than the rest of the house. It is considered part of the outside, where the shoes stay, as well as all of the dirty things from the outside that are on the shoes. And symbolically, your troubles from the outside world are not brought into the house either. It's a major faux pas to wear your shoes in the house past this step and bring all that shit inside. Interesting contrast

It's not carpets that I take my shoes off for - it's so I don't track public bathroom and outside street debris into my house.

Ever walked into a public toilet? Well, that piss is now all over your floor at home.

As is spit from the street. Remnant dog poo, bird poo, etc etc.

Take your shoes off. Please.

Yeah. No carpets, dogs coming in and out. I only take mine off if they are legit muddy, it's a lost cause, I am not going to make everyone take off their shoes. We aren't eating off the floor. I am also willing to sit on the ground outside, turn cartwheels, etc. Really just not that paranoid about dirt.

Up north I understand everyone has carpets.

Some places there is much more sitting on the floor.

It seems situational to me.

Nobody is putting their shoes on the furniture though, they are putting them on the floor.