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VANITY: What is the deal with all of those Asians running around with surgical face masks on?

Posted on 05/15/2019 6:20:06 AM PDT by mowowie

I see these people everywhere in pics and in person.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: bellcurve
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Is this some type of mass hysteria over germs? My old neighbors wore those stupid masks every time i saw them here in MA.
1 posted on 05/15/2019 6:20:06 AM PDT by mowowie
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To: mowowie

I can’t answer, but I’m glad you asked. I see them occasionally and would like to know why.


2 posted on 05/15/2019 6:21:16 AM PDT by be-baw
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To: mowowie

It helps them pronounce Ls with the La sound instead of the Ra sound


3 posted on 05/15/2019 6:21:59 AM PDT by dsrtsage (For Leftists, World History starts every day at breakfast)
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To: mowowie

In Asia (China and Japan), it is polite for people with colds to wear a gauze mask in public to avoid spreading germs to others on crowded trains or in stores.


4 posted on 05/15/2019 6:22:02 AM PDT by ArtDodger
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To: mowowie

I don’t know but if you see a 350 foot reptile emerging from the ocean, grab a mask too.

It may be his breath.


5 posted on 05/15/2019 6:22:19 AM PDT by dp0622 (The Left should know if.. Trump is kicked out of office, it is WAR)
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To: mowowie

It is common.........................


6 posted on 05/15/2019 6:22:37 AM PDT by Red Badger (We are headed for a Civil War. It won't be nice like the last one....................)
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To: mowowie

This started up around 8 to 10 years ago....when some flu episode started up and folks were coughing a good bit. The face mask routine has become accepted now.

I’m still waiting on statistics to prove it’s a good habit.


7 posted on 05/15/2019 6:22:53 AM PDT by pepsionice
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To: ArtDodger; mowowie

Ah, thanks for the explanation.

I see this at flea markets where Asians are selling goods.


8 posted on 05/15/2019 6:23:05 AM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia (Democrats: The perfect party for the helpless and stupid, and those who would rule over them.)
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To: mowowie

My understanding is that there are two reasons for this practice:

1. If Japanese people have colds or other illness they’ll wear this type of mask to avoid infecting others.

2. These masks are worn in large Chinese cities to mitigate the extreme air pollution.


9 posted on 05/15/2019 6:23:54 AM PDT by Junk Silver ("It's a little hard to herd people onto trains when they're shooting at you." SirLurkedalot)
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To: ArtDodger; mowowie
In Asia (China and Japan), it is polite for people with colds to wear a gauze mask in public to avoid spreading germs to others on crowded trains or in stores.

And this has been going on for quite sometime. I remember seeing it in Japan in the early '90s.

10 posted on 05/15/2019 6:24:14 AM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: mowowie

Found this article on that topic:
https://qz.com/299003/a-quick-history-of-why-asians-wear-surgical-masks-in-public/

“Studies have found that among many young Japanese, masks have evolved into social firewalls; perfectly healthy teens now wear them, along with audio headsets, to signal a lack of desire to communicate with those around them.”


11 posted on 05/15/2019 6:24:50 AM PDT by rightwingcrazy (;-)
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To: mowowie

I saw people wearing surgical type masks in South Korea when stationed there. They did have a serious smog problem at times in Seoul, although I also saw one guy smoking a cigarette though the mask.


12 posted on 05/15/2019 6:25:07 AM PDT by Freedom4US
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To: mowowie

13 posted on 05/15/2019 6:25:59 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: mowowie
Is this some type of mass hysteria over germs? My old neighbors wore those stupid masks every time i saw them here in MA.

Etiquette, politeness, and honor.

14 posted on 05/15/2019 6:26:52 AM PDT by DCBryan1 (Quit calling them liberals, progs, socialists, or democrats. Call them what they are: COMMUNISTS!!!!)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

There are so many other responsive replies.
What made you target #4 as the correct one?


15 posted on 05/15/2019 6:26:58 AM PDT by Sgt_Schultze (When your business model depends on slave labor, you're always going to need more slaves.)
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To: Freedom4US

I also frequently see them being worn in the “making of” footage on Korean DVDs. I assume the crew does this to avoid any possibility of giving a cold to one of the actors, which would shut down production and cost them money.


16 posted on 05/15/2019 6:27:47 AM PDT by Pravious
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To: mowowie

It helps prevent Skynet from identifying you.....


17 posted on 05/15/2019 6:28:00 AM PDT by Politically Correct (A member of the rabble in good standing)
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To: pepsionice

When people are packed together like sardines everywhere you go, I suppose it IS a good idea.


18 posted on 05/15/2019 6:28:04 AM PDT by cuban leaf
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To: mowowie

In China, it is a fashion item. In general, if you have a cold, you wear the mask as a sign that you are considerate of those around you. But lately it has taken on an element of fashion. The most popular are the black wrap-around-the-face masks.


19 posted on 05/15/2019 6:28:09 AM PDT by vannrox (The Preamble to the Bill of Rights - without it, our Bill of Rights is meaningless!)
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To: Junk Silver

Pretty common here as well.

Lots of people riding motorcycles, totally wrapped up. Especially ladies.


20 posted on 05/15/2019 6:28:21 AM PDT by cba123 ( Toi la nguoi My. Toi bay gio o Viet Nam.)
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