The Hustle Daily Show The startup that banned shoes
6 snips
Aug 14, 2025 Discover the quirky trend of shoeless startups like Cursor, where employees happily ditch their shoes for comfort and creativity. Learn about the cultural differences in workplace shoe norms, comparing American practices with those from Sweden and Asia. The hosts explore the humorous side of hygiene perceptions too. Plus, tune in for a surprising apology from McDonald's Japan and hear about an animated movie that unexpectedly tops the Billboard charts!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
No-Shoes Policy Spreads In Tech
- Cursor and other startups have adopted strict no-shoes office policies inspired by founders' cultural norms.
- The practice is gaining attention because it's unusual to many American workers.
Employee Post Started The Conversation
- Ben Lang, a Cursor employee, posted a photo on X highlighting the no-shoes rule and asked how common it is.
- His post sparked broader conversation about whether offices should ban shoes.
Founder Culture Shapes Office Norms
- Founders' cultural backgrounds explain many office norms like removing shoes for hygiene and politeness.
- Sweden and many Asian cultures commonly remove shoes indoors, influencing startup policies.