Japanese Culture

[Dreamer90]

I have a question regarding one of the most common things often attributed to Japan; the masks.
I know that many people wear them when they're sick to reduce the risk of infecting others (which is a good thing, IMO.) but I've seen in many anime and mangas that characters usually wear them (or something similar) when they're cleaning the house or serving food in cafeterias. I was just curious how widespread these different uses of masks are, if they're even used this way IRL at all.

D3

[Sumeragi]

They're used as much as seen in anime, if not more. The use in cafeterias is to prevent saliva from getting into the food as the servers speak.

[JMvS]

Last time I went to Japan, it amused me seeing a wide choice of those masks in even the most tiny convenience store.
From what I could tell, in spring a lot of people are wearing them because of the pollen as well.

[MisaoFan]

In response to Classified Info's question on Chobits, I wonder why cats in Japan are popular ?

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Sumeragi

Nah, I have too much respect for the military to think of such things. My fiancé is a former ROKMC, and he's a compact hunk, especially compared to the stupid machos of the past. Finely toned muscles everywhere.

Also, rare is the eroge protagonist who are worth anything.

Why do I have a feeling that you pretty girls hate us guys over at the intel side just because we don't train as extensively as the ops guys outfield......is it because we only listen, write tons but rarely speak?

[Dreamer90]

Originally Posted by Sumeragi

They're used as much as seen in anime, if not more. The use in cafeterias is to prevent saliva from getting into the food as the servers speak.

Ooh, I see. I do know that they're commonly used when sick, but I didn't know if the other uses (cleaning, cafeteria) were as common as anime makes them look. Does everyone in a cafeteria have to wear them as part of a job uniform or something? Are there special masks just for cleaning or cafeteria work(wouldn't surprise me if there are. I've seen a bajillion types of masks from Japan.) or do they use the same kinda masks in all those cases?
Hmm...sometimes I wish we swedes'd pick up the mask practice. -_-

D3

[andyjay729]

Here's a look back at Japanese TV 30 years ago (the year I was born).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPc6_phqhx0

[aohige]

Originally Posted by MisaoFan

In response to Classified Info's question on Chobits, I wonder why cats in Japan are popular ?

You mean there's a nation out there where cats are NOT popular?

Originally Posted by andyjay729

Here's a look back at Japanese TV 30 years ago (the year I was born).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPc6_phqhx0

Even to this day, I don't think there's a single Japanese who doesn't know the theme melody to Taiyou ni Hoero (Shout to the Sun).
It's almost up there with Mito Koumon.

[MisaoFan]

Originally Posted by aohige

You mean there's a nation out there where cats are NOT popular?

I'll just want anyone to explain to Classified why cats are popular in Japan, especially the nekomimi thing.

[MUAHAHAHAHAHA]

Originally Posted by MisaoFan

I'll just want anyone to explain to Classified why cats are popular in Japan, especially the nekomimi thing.

Because it's cute, playful, mischievous, and rather wicked in an erotic way? Things that tugs at a guy's weak heart.

[Sumeragi]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Why do I have a feeling that you pretty girls hate us guys over at the intel side just because we don't train as extensively as the ops guys outfield......is it because we only listen, write tons but rarely speak?

He also happens to be a law student (and an accomplished cook, a violinist, etc). He has the brains and the brawn.

[Azuma Denton]

Originally Posted by Dreamer90

I have a question regarding one of the most common things often attributed to Japan; the masks.
I know that many people wear them when they're sick to reduce the risk of infecting others (which is a good thing, IMO.) but I've seen in many anime and mangas that characters usually wear them (or something similar) when they're cleaning the house or serving food in cafeterias. I was just curious how widespread these different uses of masks are, if they're even used this way IRL at all.

D3

Last time i ask the manager of the inn when i stay in Japan:
- Protect the mouth from cold wind (especially in Winter)
- Prevent sickness from spreading
- Prevent pollen sickness
- To serve as the mask when entering "suspicious store" (example: JAV section in DVD shop / Fujoshi shop)

[Dreamer90]

Originally Posted by Azuma Denton

Last time i ask the manager of the inn when i stay in Japan:
- Protect the mouth from cold wind (especially in Winter)
- Prevent sickness from spreading
- Prevent pollen sickness
- To serve as the mask when entering "suspicious store" (example: JAV section in DVD shop / Fujoshi shop)

Using them as a disguise, eh? Tricky~
I did know that they do use them for the first three reasons actually, I'm just a bit confused weather or not people actually use masks when cleaning and working in a cafeteria, as I've seen on anime and in manga.

Spoiler for An example from Sankarea episode 5:

I'm not really very fond of getting my image of reality completely from fictional media, so that's why I'm asking. xD

D3

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by Sumeragi

He also happens to be a law student (and an accomplished cook, a violinist, etc). He has the brains and the brawn.

Might I ask how he feels to be engaged to a "Yandere Yuri Goddess?"

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Azuma Denton

- To serve as the mask when entering "suspicious store" (example: JAV section in DVD shop / Fujoshi shop)

I thought fujoshis are the "bold girls" type who dare to enter those kind of stores to buy those disgusting illegal material - never met a shy fujoshi before.

Originally Posted by aohige

You mean there's a nation out there where cats are NOT popular?

The Swiss. They eat cats.

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Might I ask how he feels to be engaged to a "Yandere Yuri Goddess?"

I think he'll start worrying when they have children - Sume-nee is a shotacon and probably won't hestitate to buy BL entertainment for her daughters. *digs a hole and hides*

[Akka]

Originally Posted by DonQuigleone

I wouldn't go that far, there's plenty of male characters who aren't total complete losers.

Yeah, but how many of them don't let themselve being talked down, or actually react when they are punched by a girl of their household/nakama (I'm not talking about beating her back, but just calling her on it, or getting actually mad and not just meek ?) ?

The loser harem protagonist is certainly the most "glorious" example of complete doormat, but I'm rather talking about the "submissive/passive" streak of nearly every protagonist, not just the most extreme cases.

In terms of male characterisation, I think Anime actually does a lot better then most other genres of young adult fiction (particularly their closest counterpart, american comics).

You're preaching to the choir here. If I'm so irritated by some flaws ubiquitous in anime (like the doormat protagonist or the unability to actually build a relationship until the last episode), it's precisely because anime is practically the only kind of visual medium I watch (as it's the only one that "resonate" with me).
And so it makes me desperate to see the series break more from the usual clichés

[Dhomochevsky]

Originally Posted by Akka

Yeah, but how many of them don't let themselve being talked down, or actually react when they are punched by a girl of their household/nakama (I'm not talking about beating her back, but just calling her on it, or getting actually mad and not just meek ?) ?

As DonQuigleone said, this is more a sign of a weak female status, than a weak male.
The woman is not taken seriously, so she can do whatever she wants and all it amounts to is comedy.
If the girl was actually in the stronger position, like you say, then behavior like this would have serious consequences. But as it is, it can be ignored, because it comes from a girl.
For someone with this line of thinking, it would make the male look weaker, if he took a girl serious. He would lower himself to her level, so to say.

So yes, these are symptoms of inequality, but you are reading them upside down.

[Sumeragi]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

I think he'll start worrying when they have children - Sume-nee is a shotacon and probably won't hestitate to buy BL entertainment for her daughters. *digs a hole and hides*

*Contacts the ROKMC Veterans'' Association and has them destroy SaintessHeart's shelter*

Well, he's pretty tolerant of things. I mean, he doesn't mind my using him as a model for some of my writings

[Azuma Denton]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

I thought fujoshis are the "bold girls" type who dare to enter those kind of stores to buy those disgusting illegal material - never met a shy fujoshi before.

Ha ha ha...
Where do you get that impression from??
Sumeragi??

Well, most of them i see is using mask...
And on the counterpart, male otaku (anime and idol) rarely use mask even when browsing 18++ material...

[Dreamer90]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

I thought fujoshis are the "bold girls" type who dare to enter those kind of stores to buy those disgusting illegal material - never met a shy fujoshi before.

Disgusting illegal material? O_o
If it's illegal, why is it even sold in stores? And what's so disgusting about it?. xD

D3

PS. If anyone has an answer to the stuff I asked in my previous post, don't hesitate to respond. I'm still curious. xD