In Russia, on the other hand, shoes are a sign of affection.

From the American News:

An angry crowd confronted Iraq's former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi at a Shiite Shrine, south of Baghdad on Sunday.  . . .Once Allawi and his entourage were inside, the crowd grew to about 60 and as the group left, they were showered with stones and shoes--a sign of contempt in Iraqi culture.