[White-male24442]

Why do some Asian people wear face masks when out in public? I am referring to the surgical or dust type mask that covers the mouth and nose. I assume it has something to do with germs or such, but I only see Asians doing this, wearing them on the bus, in the mall, etc.
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Name : White-male24442, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 26, City : Santa Clara, State : CA, Country : United States, 

[Dave P.]

The practice of wearing a surgical mask is a tradition dating back to the Imperial Japanese occupation of most of the Orient in the first half of this century. The Japanese sought to prevent the repeat of the global influenza epidemic of the thirties by requiring school children and workers to wear masks when there was flu going around. Obviously this proved effective, as it filters out germs from entering the respiratory system. Due to its effectiveness, the nations of Japan, Korea and Taiwan have kept the practice, and even today, during flu epidemics, many Asians wear the mask to prevent catching the virus.

User Detail :  

Name : Dave P., Gender : M, Race : Korean, Age : 25, City : Ft. Benning, State : GA, Country : United States, Occupation : Military officer, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[CaroleK]

Those masks are not effective in filtering out viruses. I think it is mainly a politeness thing, though talking to a person wearing one is pretty irritating.

User Detail :  

Name : CaroleK, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 39, City : Mito, State : NA, Country : Japan, Occupation : teacher/writer, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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