We. Are. Mask. Wearing. Robots.(www.news.janjan.jp)
And what's amazing is that now there are all sorts of different masks for different needs:
Masks for men(www.livingincairns.com.au)
Masks for women(www.saihatei.com)
Masks for kids(blog.qlep.com)
Special allergy blocking masks(item.rakuten.co.jp)
Masks with a slight curve so it sits better on your face, and...(www.excite.co.jp)
Masks that have a small metal piece to shape it around your nose so that if you wear glasses, they won't fog up.(item.rakuten.co.jp)
I suppose it's natural that if you use something often and a lot, people would put effort into improving it and making money from it. I have no idea if this is effective. I don't know if wearing masks has prevented others from getting sick. The amount of people wearing them during flu season is so much, it seems a bit pointless then. Are we trying not to mix up illnesses? Who knows? At least it appears as thoughtful. It's the equivalent of sneezing into your elbow, which I bet doesn't happen in Japan.
I don't see this trend taking off in the States anytime soon.
During the SARS epidemic in Taipei, one had to wear a mask in order to use public transportation. There truly was an army of mask-wearing people but, honestly, it didn't really stand out to me. It wasn't ALL that different from how things normally looked!
ReplyDeleteThis used to freak me out so much on the first days of my three year long stay in Tokyo!
ReplyDeleteI also made the mistake of blowing my nose in public when I had a cold... why do they hand out tissues everywhere if you're not to use them? I never understood that... Great blog!
To chaloide,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I read this on another blog somewhere, but I learned it is considered rude to do such things as blow your nose in public in Japan. One should take that to a restroom. I can understand that; I do find it a bit gross when I'm [in particular] in a coffee shop or restaurant and someone blows their nose.