To wonder why East Asian countries can cope with wearing masks?

[sallyballynally]

Picture is of a poster in Seoul subway encouraging people to report others who are not wearing masks. I can only imagine the absolute tantrums that would occur on Mumsnet if that happened.

It constantly baffles me at how in Japan, South Korea and China people actually manage to be sensible and wear masks. My sister is in SK right now and EVERYONE wears a mask, no exceptions. Even toddlers wear them. There's no "it's too hot", "I want to see people's faces", "My humaaaaan rights". It's to the point that people on buses will bang on the windows if they see a pedestrian not wearing a mask. Some posters will say that they wouldn't want to live somewhere where they're socially pressured into wearing a mask. Yeah, I wish we were a country like Japan where there was no lockdown and 996 deaths. Why? Because masks. What is it about British people that makes us so contrary?

People are selfish and don’t like to be told what to do, even when it’s for their own good.

That’s why everyone and their dog now has an excuse for why they can’t wear a mask.

Japan is an interesting case but SK and China do have a different approach to rights and privacy,

I actually do agree. In Korea they just wore masks, including toddlers. But i would say that you are very much expected there to do whatever is best for the community. It is a very different place to the UK

So weird that they have a poster up - if everyone is following the rules, why do they need to?

Your post @sallyballynally is spot on - we have a major problem in this country with people who whine, moan and try and talk their way out of any personal responsibility. "I won't be told what to doooo!" Etc

Those South Asian countries are excellent in terms of fostering a sense of collective - people are fine to be told - they recognise the greater good for society.

@TheLegendOfZelda

So weird that they have a poster up - if everyone is following the rules, why do they need to?

How do you think they got to following the rules in the first place?

Or does the poster have an invisible retina scanner that clocks every member of society who has viewed it, and ensured their compliance?

FFS.

I’m in the Middle East. We are all wearing masks and it is 45° plus. Yes we moan but we wear them. I don’t want to be sick and I don’t want to pass it on if I have it. At one point we were having to wear them in our cars even if we were on our own. That’s been eased (thank goodness) but we wear them out.

In Japan, they often wear masks when they have colds or due to allergies. Mask-wearing is mostly down to practice. There are many young kids who don't like wearing masks and will rip them off as soon as they can or wear them under their noses, but as they get older, they get used to it.

In the UK, people aren't used to wearing masks, so they feel uncomfortable. It's only natural that it's harder.

I've been wearing a mask out for several months now. At first I hated it, but now it doesn't bother me so much.

It just won’t work in this country unfortunately
What that will do to covid numbers I don’t know

It's a different culture. Personally I don't think aiming to be more like countries with some questionable human rights issues is a good thing.

They also do a lot if other things that we don't , what's the point if yet another facemask post

Why do you think British people are being contrary? I haven’t seen anyone in a shop not wearing a mask since they became mandatory, people are generally doing as they’re told.

Also, I think people in Japan feel a lot more peer pressure. No one wants to walk into a supermarket and be the only one without a mask, so they wear them when out and about. There have been a lot of problems with people being harassed and abused for catching covid. There is a lot of peer pressure.

Largely more compliant societies.

Personally, I think the UK is essentially full of bloody minded, entitled people. Yes, it's takes a bit of getting used to but it's not difficult and/or uncomfortable. Once you get used to it, it's okay.

Because here every other person has a condition that will make them violently ill if a piece of fabric comes within an inch of their face. I guess they never wear scarves in the winter then

I moved to a SE country where mask wearing is pretty much 100% with the exception of tiny children. I agree, there's a lot of fuss made of working together for the collective good, and people really believe that. Or they may complain (no end of complaining here) but do it anyway. And if almost everyone is wearing a mask, there's a lot of social pressure to do so. I'd be embarrassed or feel ashamed if caught outside without a mask. DS is at the age when he's supposed to wear them, but has SN so is thankfully exempt, but it's hard not to worry a little about what others are thinking when they see him.

On top of that the consequences are considerable - public shaming, a steep fine, and if you are an expat then your visa is cancelled.

Having said that all that, a few people try to get away with it, especially outdoors on walks, elderly who obviously find it uncomfortable and wear them inappropriately, and a few expats unfortunately.

Also, in Japan the people are often physically much closer together. Much. Where I am in the UK I can easily keep a distance and stay away from people.

Even toddlers wear them

Well they shouldn't be

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3976399-Masks-for-under-3s

Well, those countries also have a lot of questionable human rights issues. I'm not sure it's a valid comparison.

A lot of people wear masks because the consequences are a lot more serious than just a £100 fine.

EVERYONE doesn't wear a mask in those countries. Some people don't go out or aren't allowed out. It is like saying everyone can walk in those countries.

What is it about British people that makes us so contrary?

It isn't British people as a whole. It's MNers.

In Japan, the over-riding state of mind is consideration for others before yourself. Not so much here 🤷‍♀️

Mask wearing is pretty common place in those countries just to avoid passing on colds and flu. Even in non pandemic times people often wear them as they live in such crowded places its very easy to spread. Theyve also seen first hand the impact of SARs so have experienced a taster of the impact, so happier to comply.