If you see people wearing surgical looking masks while you walk outside, please do not panic! Don't assume there is plague going on here in Japan. I didn't find it weird until a friend of mine who visited Tokyo told me this. Don't worry there is no plague or whatsoever. You especially see some of us wearing them in winter or in the early spring. People with sore throats wear them in order to keep their throat and nose moisturized as much as they could in order not to let them dry up. When you have a sore throat from a cold, it's better (or believed to be better) to keep respiratory system moisturized. If you wear a mask, your own moisturized breath will stay between a mask and a mouth/ a nose. That way, your throat and nose won't stay dry even if it's very dry outside. I have a sore throat which is getting actually much better, but since it's very dry here in this office, I decided to wear one of those not to get worse than I already am. It does work. Since I don't like to keep my throat dry, I usually wear one of those during the flight, too. Please do not freak out if I wear one of those onboard. I am not having an unknown contageious disease or anything. This is what we do here in Japan. It's weird but it works. It's as important as it is to keep your skin hydrated to look younger.
(I secretly hide a moisturizer in my office drawer) I am almost over it but I still have this discomfort deep in my throat. Please make sure you stay hydrated and don't catch a cold! It's not pleasant. :-) Have a happy week, everybody!
i remember having to wear one of those masks in public a while back. it was when my family in toronto was quarantined for SARS. the neighbours all looked at us funny. :(
I heard about this phenomenon in Japan! Although I was told that the Japanese wear it because they're having a cold and don't want to spread it to others.
It's kinda sexy, trying to determine whether a guy can be cute with just exposing the eyes...
Lol oh wow? If we're caught wearing that in Malaysia, you would find people scurrying off and not staying within one meter from that person unless there's like a flu epidermic going on (where everyone wears it). Honestly though, I personally think wearing it looks weird on self... especially during the haze incident, I saw my brothers and everyone wearing it, I still refuse to get one as I refuse to look weird in it! ;p
But anyway... moisturizer and an extra pair of shirt in drawer... seems like a personal cupboard in there! ;)
Ah, I did not know that! Seems very logical... People would think I am as weird as Michael Jackson when I would wear that in Holland though...
I've bought those a few times at a Japanese store here in the ciy-- I wore it when I had a flu last year at the office (I didn't want to get other people sick), and everyone made fun of me T_T (cries)
Hi Raph,
oh, that was like 2 years back? I am sure it was one of the darkest time in your life. I am glad it didn't go on forever. But I still wonder why they can go without any goggles or anything.... huh... No more SARS. Hopefully. But I hear avian bird flu thingy frequently lately. I hope it won't be another chaos. Let's hope it won't. :-) Have a wonderful day!
Hi Will,
I guess it really is Japanese thingy..... that's true that people with a cold don't want to spread it around. So they wear it. But the oddest thing is that if they are sick that much, they should stay home, you know. I guess the country of being workaholics does invent a product like that. :-( I find it very convenient if you have to accidentally sneeze without covering your mouth. :-) You have a pleasant evening!
Hi Chris,
I am sure that's true. But this can become very handy. Like a lot of high school girls with pimples wear them as they don't want others to see their pimples. :-) I am sure it is weird but it can work in many occasions. :-) I probably should take a photo of what I have in my office drawer. I have weird non-work related things. :-) You have a good evening!
Hi Freddie,
Well, I am not sure if it's logical as the best logical thing to do when you are sick is to stay home. :-) But I am certain that you would look weird and the others think the same for ya. You see, this can be really good. If you have to take a 12 hour flight and you are in Economy class, all you do is wear this and fake cough a lot. That way, the person next to you probably wants to stay away from you and change his/her seat. :-) Have a wonderful day!
Hi Fashmagslag,
Oh, another diligent worker here! I am sorry that people made fun of you while you were trying the best to protect others from a nasty flu. :-( You are a very considerate guy! I hope you could get some sick leave days when you get a flu next time. Better yet, I hope you won't get any. You have a fantabulous day and make sure you gargle and wash your hands. :-)
I took some masks with me to Japan because it was when the SARS outbreak was happening, but I was too embarrased to wear them; like FreddieZ said, I'd look like Michael Jackson or something! And if I wore one in an office ..... I dunno, people would think I was crazy! I think it's a good idea to wear one if you are a cyclist in a city though, because the petrol fumes are horrible; I see more cyclists in London and some other places wearing masks now.
Hi Tim,
This is your second comment here on my blog but sorry about the mix up I told you ealrier... Now, let me say welcome to my blog! Well, SARS outbreak wasn't happening at the time here in Japan even though we are very close to China.. But I am sure it would be freaky to wear it in a non-Japanese office. :-) That's too bad that cyclists have to wear one of those.. I wish the air was cleaner.... Anyway, you have a fantabulous evening!