worrying about colds-an Asian cultural difference?

[Tenshi no Ai]

First off, I know that in Asian grocery stores and so forth, many of the employees wear things like masks when giving out free sample, out of sanitary reasons. When the anthrax scare was around, many people in China wore masks to prevent themselves from getting it. Well in that case it's anthrax, and more of a big deal of course. In anime some people wear masks WHILE sick so they don't spread it to others (probably something we should really do too, but in our culture it's more of a dorky thing).

With simple colds though, I noticed in A LOT of anime, that the characters treat it like the person may die. I know, on the rare occasion people DO die from the common cold due to lack of immunities or whatever, but with our medicines and whatnot, it's never something to worry about. In fact, all the time people just don't care. "Yeah I have a cold, but I'm still going to school/work, whatever", but it's just shown as a VERY serious thing in anime where people like HAVE to stay home and all that. Yeah, I know you shouldn't take ALL your cultural facts from anime, such as say in comparison, saying that all Japanese are overly emotional etc etc. Still, I find at least the cold issue very common in most serious. In our culture it's like "Yeah I have a fever and it sucks" or "Oh that doesn't sound fun" :/ But over there it's like "OH NOES! THEY HAVE A FEVER!!! MAYBEDIEORSOMETHING?!?!" and the person is often depicted as being shown as REALLY sick and close to death. I've been through bad sick times when I was little, and fevers were more or less a nuisance with being extremely cold then hot, unlike in anime where the character just sits there in bed with a red face, panting (I'm sure everyone's seen that scene at least ONCE in an anime).

So, in the bottom line of it all, is it just a cultural difference that they seem moreso paranoid about colds that are probably not even fatal, and we just toughen it out and don't often worry too much on sanitary issues concerning the spread? Just... something I thought about^^

[Alexander]

It definitely seems to be cultural and possibly in Asian history. I can vaguely remember hearing that viruses were more prevalent and harsher then here in North America, and it might be that any sickness was treated as a near death situation, even after we gained more understanding about them.

I can't be quoted on that, but I'm going to a do a little past-time research to see for myself.

[Tenshi no Ai]

I can vaguely remember hearing that viruses were more prevalent and harsher then here in North America, and it might be that any sickness was treated as a near death situation, even after we gained more understanding about them.

Hm well if you think about it, MANY horrible diseases such as bird flu etc stem from that corner of the world. Interested to know what information you find in your searches.

[Puguni]

No.


I still go to school when I have a cold.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

No.


I still go to school when I have a cold.

But you're white-washed!

[ADXC]

I really hate colds. One reason is you absolutely have to go to school unless its serious like a fever. Another is colds clog your sinuses(and they make your nose run), give you a bad sort throat(Some of the time), and possibly even ear aches. They also make the food you eat taste nasty. And lastly they last from 9 to 11 days which really sucks. I hate to have to blow my nose every hour.

And about Asians, I think they are just being extra cautious to make sure you don't get seriously sick. And remember there are other kinds of diseases more common over there and sometimes they might not be able to get the vaccinations they need. (Like if the shots are in short supply or something.)

[LadyRushia]

Well, I can't speak for Japan, but in China I noticed that they don't have typical pharmacies with the over-the-counter drugs that make colds and fevers no big deal for us here in the west(I mean, they might've had a few, but I don't think anyone reall uses them). In fact, in all the time I was there I didn't see a single bottle of pills or any other kind of medicine that we use. The Chinese pretty much rely on traditional ways for treating colds and fevers(rest, food, traditional medicines). I think that Chinese kids stay home from school when the get sick(and I think this is the only reason why they would stay home).

Also, our Chinese teachers and familes would always say, "Oh, have a rest now." Then maybe we'd do something for an hour and they'd be like, "Okay, have a rest." And while that might've had something to with the fact that we were their American guests, I think they take resting more seriously than we do(especially when they're sick). Being sick probably has something to do with bad luck in their minds as well.

So I guess it is really a culture thing(though I don't know if Japan has the same situation). They're always wishing for good health and things like that. As for why sickness is always so serious in anime, maybe that's because it creates drama and thus adds to the interest.

[Sammy Boy]

I can't speak for all Asians, but when I lived in Hong Kong, people generally didn't weak masks even when they had the flu. The SARS virus some years back have changed a lot of the Hong Kong people's views towards personal and public hygiene though.

In China, some people do wear masks to avoid spreading the flu to others, but in actual fact, many of them weak it during winter because it keeps their faces warm.

[Puguni]

Well, I can't speak for Japan, but in China I noticed that they don't have typical pharmacies with the over-the-counter drugs that make colds and fevers no big deal for us here in the west(I mean, they might've had a few, but I don't think anyone reall uses them). In fact, in all the time I was there I didn't see a single bottle of pills or any other kind of medicine that we use. The Chinese pretty much rely on traditional ways for treating colds and fevers(rest, food, traditional medicines). I think that Chinese kids stay home from school when the get sick(and I think this is the only reason why they would stay home).

Also, our Chinese teachers and familes would always say, "Oh, have a rest now." Then maybe we'd do something for an hour and they'd be like, "Okay, have a rest." And while that might've had something to with the fact that we were their American guests, I think they take resting more seriously than we do(especially when they're sick). Being sick probably has something to do with bad luck in their minds as well.

I'd just like to point out that America is a fast track society and has greatly downplayed the importance of rest. Almost no one gets enough sleep anymore or just a chill time.

I'd also like to point out that you really don't need pills or syrup for colds. I'd hope that everyone's immune system is capable enough of fighting one cold with just a good rest.

And I am not THAT white washed. ;;>_>

[Mr. Rogers]

I don't know how seriously people treat colds and flus....but they just wear the masks to avoid spreading stuff around. It's just considered a common courtesy there. I saw it a few times while I was visiting there earlier this year. The pastor I visited and his son also wore them to prevent allergies from the pollen.

[termyt]

I think there is definitely a cultural difference.

While we in the west care a lot about hygiene now, it wasn't much of a concern historically. The Asain cultures seem to have considered hygiene more imporant into antiquity.

If disease seems to be coming from there more today, that likely has more to do with economic/industrial development. The use of sewers and water treatment versus the lack of clean water in many areas of asia.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

And I am not THAT white washed. ;;>_>

Yes you are =p

But so am I =(

[uc pseudonym]

I'm rather tempted to attribute the doom colds common to anime as general melodrama. Culturally-related melodrama, certainly, but mostly due to the medium. I seriously doubt Asians have a genetic condition that causes them to instantly catch a cold if they are outside in the rain for more than a few seconds.

My family is fairly far on the "don't push yourself" side of things and I don't think anyone has ever stayed home from work/school for a cold. We've never used medication for them, either.

[mitsuki lover]

I wonder if it has anything to do with the work ethic.I think most Americans simply take the day off if they have so much as a sniffle.