This weekend I encountered another level of Japanese change room etiquette and a socially acceptable way of covering your face rolled into one.
When I tried on a T-shirt in a Shibuya store this weekend, I was politely and routinely asked by the store attendant to wear a face cover, as she pointed to a box on the change room floor. The box contained flat-packed material bags labelled as “Face Covers”, but without additional explanation.
Putting on my thinking cap, I realised that I was meant to put this thing over my head so that my face didn’t directly touch the clothes that I was trying on as I pulled it over my head. Is this fastidiousness gone overboard?
Japanese change room etiquette requires taking your shoes off before stepping inside – it’s easy to see if a change room is occupied because of the shoes outside. But I was previously unaware that I might be required to put a bag over my head to protect the store’s merchandise from myself. I can’t imagine consumers back in Australia being very compliant if they were asked to cooperate with this.
This photo, taken on my mobile phone camera via the change room mirror, shows the result. I’ve had confirmation from a Japanese friend that I got it right.
I’ve already posted about face masks in Japan. Do I detect a broader trend of face covering?
This might be more appreciated by female readers. It’s frustrating when you find the perfect outfit on the rack, only to discover that someone left their make-up all over the collar. Don’t know that I’m entirely pro-bag, but I’m not against the idea. Does it come in pink?
Oops…that would be “her make-up,” not “their”!
There was no choice of colours! You’re probably right – men don’t often have problems with someone else’s make-up smudged all over the collar of a shirt that they’re trying on…