The level of cleanliness in a home can vary drastically. Some people take cleanliness to a whole other level

“I

have two promising houses to show you today,” I told a new client. “But make sure not to wear your holey socks. You may have to take off your shoes.”

It’s a joke that’s not really a joke. I’ve had clients who were very embarrassed when they had to take off their shoes and their socks were not in good shape.

In some cultures, one doesn’t wear shoes in the house. As soon as they enter the house, they take off their shoes and put on slippers. And they have multiple pairs of slippers, so they’re covered no matter where they enter. There are slippers at the front door and the back door, at the garage and sometimes on the upstairs landing; different areas of the home get different pairs of slippers.

Many people don’t like anyone to wear shoes in the home, not because of superstition, but to keep the house clean. When a house is up for sale, you’ll often find a basket of booties by the door, with a written request that everyone take their shoes off and walk barefoot, or wear the booties.

Religion shows up in people’s homes. The Indians have a prayer room.  Those prayer rooms often contain statues that look very much like what you imagine Avraham Avinu smashing, and they burn incense in there. Not surprisingly, every time I show a frum couple an Indian home, they get uneasy.