Growing up this wasn't a thing in my household. When I began having my own domicile I realized how NASTY the floor can be if you track stuff from inside/outside the house. I became somewhat of a clean freak, even though I still have clutter from time to time.
I've had people joke "ArE yOu AsIaN?!" when I tell them to take their shoes off.

I don't even really like having my bare feet on the floor sometimes. Sock Gang.
But that woman in the article should just respect people's houses and rules. fukk her.
To be fair some peoples floors aren't clean enough to be making you take your shoes off.. Couple of weeks ago I visited my neighbor and I took my shoes off because I saw everyone else did.. And even with my socks on I could feel crumbs and a bunch of other debris as I walked on the hardwood floor. It was nasty.
I don't take my shoes off at my grandmother's because she is in her 80s and I know she doesn't clean it like she used to. If I know the habits of certain people I take my shoes on/off.