In the U.S. it is quite rare. I believe this is because the meaning is much more ambiguous. People in the U.S. seem alarmed when they see someone donning the surgical mask -- either they believe the person is paranoid about contracting an illness from others, or that they are somehow contaminated.
In the U.S. there is also that vanity thing. It is not quite the fashion statement.
Or someone in the states might say: "if you are sick, stay home".
Hong Kong was also ground zero for the SARS epidemic, so that may have made the mask more socially acceptable.
interesting...wish more people would do that in Tallahassee then maybe I wouldn't be sick all the time
ReplyDeleteisn't there a subtle respect granted those courteous enough to wear the mask? Asian cultures have a much more supra-personal sense of self; self as defined more explicitly in relation to "society." what about street crime, dj? Big concern?
ReplyDeleteThere is virtually no street crime here in Hong Kong (the mainland is another matter). You are safe walking anywhere here at anytime of day or night. It is quite remarkable and it contributes to the secure mobility-by-foot across the entire city.
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