Is there an Asian custom of "washing up" in the sink?

[Adam8281]

I'm a graduate student at a large university and we have a lot of transfer and international students. On several recent occasions I have noticed students of Asian descent "washing up" in the sinks in the public restrooms. They seem to be taking some paper towels, folding them up, wetting them, and then wiping down their foreheads, back of neck, etc. This sometimes takes quite a while; a few weeks ago someone was "washing up" like this for 2-3 minutes. I've probably noticed it about 5 times this past semester, and every time it has been someone of Asian descent. Is this a common practice in some Asian countries, or has it just been a coincidence?

 

[Kirby]

If it's hot and I'm sweating like a pig, then I do it.

<-Not asian.

 

[SAWYER]

I walked into a bathroom once and saw a guy with his shoe/socks off and washing his feet *barfs*

 

[amdhunter]

If Anime has taught me anything, its that Japanese kids wash their foreheads and necks daily in high school.

 

[Xylitol]

I know some who do that

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Can't say I've noticed it myself but, it certainly could be the result of growing up in a city with horrendous smog. OTOH, you do know that people from other places do believe/think/prioritize differently than you do right?

 

[jacob0401]

yea i'll do it if i'm really tired, to freshen up, or sweaty. i'm asian.

 

[Adam8281]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
If Anime has taught me anything, its that Japanese kids wash their foreheads and necks daily in high school.

Seriously? I don't watch anime, but if you're being serious, I guess that explains it. Must be a cultural thing. I don't know, though - most of the times I've seen it it hasn't been hot; I wouldn't think anybody would be sweating. I saw it again yesterday, which is what prompted this post, and it wasn't hot at all.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Sawyer
I walked into a bathroom once and saw a guy with his shoe/socks off and washing his feet *barfs*

why barf? would you prefer he wash them in the toilet?

 

[XxPrOdiGyxX]

Didn't know cleanliness was offensive.

 

[SAWYER]

I wouldn't stick my feet in a public sink

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: Sawyer
I walked into a bathroom once and saw a guy with his shoe/socks off and washing his feet *barfs*

Same thing happened to me. Except it was his balls and he was wearing a skirt.

 

[Finalnight]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Sawyer
I walked into a bathroom once and saw a guy with his shoe/socks off and washing his feet *barfs*

why barf? would you prefer he wash them in the toilet?

Actually, I would barf because the poor guy is sticking his feet where someone probably just spit a loogie or barfed themselves.

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: Sawyer
I walked into a bathroom once and saw a guy with his shoe/socks off and washing his feet *barfs*

Same thing happened to me. Except it was his balls and he was wearing a skirt.

Don't know why but that made me laugh.

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
If it's hot and I'm sweating like a pig, then I do it.

<-Not asian.

pics or ban

err I mean uh

 

[ballmode]

whats so wrong about that?

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: Sawyer
I walked into a bathroom once and saw a guy with his shoe/socks off and washing his feet *barfs*

I saw a couple guys do that at work too. (never an asian though)

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Adam8281

Originally posted by: amdhunter
If Anime has taught me anything, its that Japanese kids wash their foreheads and necks daily in high school.

Seriously? I don't watch anime, but if you're being serious, I guess that explains it. Must be a cultural thing. I don't know, though - most of the times I've seen it it hasn't been hot; I wouldn't think anybody would be sweating. I saw it again yesterday, which is what prompted this post, and it wasn't hot at all.

Yeah, seems to be a cultural thing.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: XxPrOdiGyxX
Didn't know cleanliness was offensive.

You must be a neck washer because you got pretty defensive about this. The OP never said he was offended.

I am clean and I don't need to wash myself during the day.

 

[SandEagle]

maybe a religious thing? i.e., cleansing self before prayer?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291569,00.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/s...y.php?storyId=13922989

 

[hanoverphist]

or mebbe they get "ring around the collar" easily and dont want to show it.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: ballmode
whats so wrong about that?

he isnt saying its wrong just wanting to know if its a custom or just cultural behavior...

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

it's a practicality thing. if i'm feeling sweaty or grimy or hot around the face and neck, i'll take a little washcloth and do a little pat down in the sink, in the river, in the lake, in the wishing well, from a drinking fountain, whatever. sure beats doing nothing and feeling dirty or going through all the trouble of doing a full blown shower or bath in the river.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Can't say I've noticed it myself but, it certainly could be the result of growing up in a city with horrendous smog. OTOH, you do know that people from other places do believe/think/prioritize differently than you do right?

I call those people "savages." That's why we need to take over their country and civilize them. Some may die in the process, but we can't let them continue their horrible ways.