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Gigachadtoday at 2:53 AM3 repliesview on HN

That's the whole function of shoes though. If outside was as clean as my floors at home, I wouldn't need shoes.

I have to imagine the person who leaves their shoes on either never goes outside, or just has filthy floors.


Replies

Grombobuloustoday at 2:57 AM

That is not the primary function of shoes. The function of shoes is to support your feet, protect them from harsh surfaces, keep them dry.

Unlike the commenter above you, I don’t really agree that it’s completely sanitary, though. I’m just saying that keeping you clean is actually pretty far down the list.

Another thing about whether the floor is sanitary: that changes a lot based on how you use your floor. If you eat, sleep, or sit on the floor often like in a traditional Japanese home, keeping the floor clean is a lot more important.

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eqvinoxtoday at 2:56 AM

> That's the whole function of shoes though.

Nah, the main function of shoes is (to support your feet and) prevent injury. Cleanliness is second on the list.

[ed.: added braces]

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jimjimjimtoday at 3:52 AM

It depends what you do outside. Historically shoes/boots/foot wraps were to protect your feet from the cold and from sharp things e.g. rocks, stones, spiky plants, spiders, snakes, ticks etc etc. Surely some of these conditions would still exist today even if outside was clean.