>also notice the moving guys aren't wearing their shoes inside. They are taking them off upon entry, carrying stuff (sometimes really heavy stuff) and putting their shoes back on when removing stuff. That's the part that shocked me.

I've worked granite installation. Some customers demanded we take off our shoes. It's terrifying carrying a piece of stone with someone that weighs several hundred pounds with nothing but socks on. It's also fun trying to get your shoes off while holding said piece of stone. Normally, we'd put it down on the steel toes if we neesed to. Can't do that while you're taking your shoes off. I hated those customers.

The difference is that the Japanese guys are doing this without being asked. Removing shoes on entry is just the way it is done, regardless of the task apparently.

Yup we worked in a bunch of old colonials and attics and other ridiculous tight spaces that could compete I think. Also count the fact that American housing might be bigger, but so is all our stuff! There were a few times where a whole team of experienced guys could not for the life us figure out how a piece of furniture got into a room or how to get it back out.

The difference is that we would pad up the furniture itself if need be before humping it out, rather than the walls. We'd always eventually pad up the furniture but it's easier to do it on the truck. There are also techniques for literally using your fingers/hands/arms as padding between the wall and the piece you're moving. You can also always have a third guy holding some cardboard or padding against a wall or doorframe too for a tight squeeze. I didn't consider the cultural differences with the noise or shoes though, thanks for that!