In the Balkans it is considered rude and unhygienic to keep your shoes on inside someone’s home and visitors are always expected to remove their shoes. Hosts are also expected to give their guests indoor slippers to wear, especially in the winter.
When I slept over at my friend Yelena’s and asked her if I should bring anything, the only thing she told me I needed was a “pair of slippers or flops.”
When visiting her family or friends, they all have a basket of slippers near the front door for guests to wear. I also learned that it is very rude if you don’t accept the slippers.
Even the apartment we are renting came with a bunch of slippers in the front closet.
Luckily, slippers are not in short supply! Every store in Pančevo has bins of slippers in front ranging from $2 – $7.
The Jo Show 