Shoutout to my shoe disaster in a Japanese home

I was visiting a client's house in Japan after a pressure washing job. I kept my shoes on inside, not knowing it's a huge taboo there. The family looked shocked and didn't say much, which made things really awkward. I felt terrible for disrespecting their culture without meaning to. Now I make sure to learn these things before working in new places.

3 comments

3 Comments

gonzalez.emery3mo ago

That bit where you kept your shoes on inside is a classic mistake. In Japan, that's like bringing the outside dirt into their clean space. I can picture the family staring at your feet, trying not to freak out. It's smart to learn these things ahead of time, saves everyone the trouble. We all mess up with culture stuff, but it sticks with you. Just be glad you weren't wearing work boots covered in who knows what.

jamieclark3mo ago

Wait, work boots covered in who knows what?! That mental image is actually killing me! Imagine tracking in literal mystery gunk from outside, it would be so much worse than regular shoes. The family would probably just give up on being polite and actually scream. Yeah, learning that rule ahead of time is a total lifesaver, no doubt about it.

caleba452mo ago

Tbh when jamieclark mentioned "literal mystery gunk" I physically cringed. I can just see the little bits of dirt and leaves from the pressure washing job falling off on their clean floor. That family must have been so upset watching it happen in real time. Honestly it's the kind of mistake you only make once because the awkward feeling sticks with you for years. Good on you for actually learning from it.