Posted on 05/15/2019 6:20:06 AM PDT by mowowie
The Asian bird flu of late 90s? That was pretty serious. Spread to Canada if I remember correctly?
Sneezing broadcasts infectious germs far and wide. Masks prevent that. So does sneezing into a handkerchief or elbow but neither is as effective as masks.
They always have. They’re a germ conscious society. In Tokyo lots of people wear them.
I’m glad you posted that. Up until now I just assumed they were ashamed of their teeth. :-P
bad air quality
Such a fast correct reply. This thread will now be over 200 replies of fun, like Ben’s!
Everyone in San Francisco should wear one...or any other liberal city for that matter.
You wear it if...
1. you get a cold & don’t wish to spread it
2. your face gets super cold from riding a bike, scooter, etc.
Interesting. When I was younger and went to Japan for work, I thought they were hiding cold sores. Being a gaijin, my mind had a suspicious bent.
Last year my daughter and granddaughter had an exchange student from Sweden. We all fell in love with her and she with the family. Soooo quiet. So I asked what was the first thing she noticed here. She said the noise and everybody talks. She said on the train in Sweden no one talks to anyone else. Other places too. Very reserved. Boy did we change her before she left! lol She actually came back in April and stayed a week again.
Wearing masks to prevent the spread of diseases makes sense. But wearing a surgical mask to mitigate air pollution is dumb. Unless the air pollution consists of large dust particles, the masks are useless for that purpose.
It’s to prevent the spread of germs. They would rather stop disease than worry about what other people will think.
In some cultures, people cough or sneeze into their hand, which they then use to shake hands, grab door knobs, telephones, or other objects that other people are likely to use.
Takes the place of a handkerchief.
Ever look at the sidewalk near were asians hang out?
Chewing gum everywhere!
Don’t sneeze in public but ok to spit your gum out all over the place.
interesting people....
Except there’s too many wearing them for this to be the only issue.
I’ve been to Japan/Korea many times and it’s certainly not just because somebody is sick and is being considerate.
I’ve wondered if it is partly to avoid germs of others, air pollution, as well as being sick themselves. The thing is, I read an article that stated wearing them isn’t really healthy. The moisture from breathing creates a surface that is perfect for germs to develop. I’ve no idea how often they replace them.
Also, their group eating habits include chop sticks and sharing of food from the same bowls. This flies directly in the face of a pure “worried about germs” theory.
Once, while living in rural Japan, I was running late and stood on the tiny train platform eating a banana for breakfast. That was taboo and for years I was remembered as ‘the gaijin who was seen eating a banana on the train platform’.
‘Hi my name is ******.’
‘ Oh, ******-san. The gaijin who was seen eating the banana on the train platform. Nice to meet you.’
i’d rather read the FR discussion...more interesting.
They can say they’re being polite toward others but imo, it’s the other way around.
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