Japan has always been known to be a country that is very particular in their hygiene. Blowing your nose in public is not allowed, let alone eating while walking is strictly prohibited or it might earn you endless glares from the locals. The moment you land in Japan, you will see a number of people wearing surgical masks and might probably wonder if there is an endemic disease in the area or they’re just sick. While the latter might be the possible answer, not all who wear a masks are actually sick. Some wear it for their own personal reasons and liking.
Here are four reasons why the Japanese wear surgical masks in public:
1. They’re sick.
Let’s discuss first the common reason why the Japanese wear masks in public: it’s because they’re sick. It's as simple as that. When a person in Japan catches a cold, it is best for him or her to wear a mask to prevent the virus from spreading around.
2. Protection from winter.
It is undeniably cold in Japan during the winter season, that’s why the Japanese wear masks to provide heat, as the masks prevent the moisture from coming in. It also helps to keep the face warm and lips not chapped.
3. Cover-up.
One of the many reasons why Japanese people wear mask is to cover up their faces. For women who hasn’t worn make up due to lack of time or unwillingness, wearing a mask is a certainly a best option.
4. Avoiding interaction.
On the other note, some people wear surgical masks not only to hide their face but also to avoid human interaction. To those who don’t want to be disturbed with the rowdy crowd, wearing masks and earphones helps to maintain their peace.
5. For fashion purposes.
Some of those who wear masks have nothing to do with their hygiene but for their fashion statement. With a large quantity of different mask designs available in the market today, stylish people often add masks to their outfit.
In Japan, since it is widely acceptable to wear surgical masks in public, and you’ll see a lot of locals wearing one. It might appear unnatural and weird at first but you’ll never understand what they feel about wearing a mask unless you try it yourself.
Banner photo by. Sean McGrath. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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