first - i say Asian, cause i am not sure where they are from.
second - i realize that it is obviously out of courtesy.. like when i see they are chewing..
but why do they cover their mouth when they laugh?
is it part of the culture to not see in your mouth or teeth or something?
i respect their culture to the highest degree, i am just unsure of this behavior and am a bit curious.
thanks for any & all legitimate, intelligent answers
2007-01-19 05:42:53 · 9 answers · asked by a dork 3 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
I think it's a cultural thing. My mom sometimes does it, and I probably picked it up from her. I'm Asian-American, and I have nice teeth, but I sometimes still cover my mouth when I laugh. Not always, just sometimes out of habit.
When I was growing up, my mom would say I laugh too loud and to cover my mouth, because I was being unladylike. You know that Asian women are told to be quiet and modest. However, she got older and wiser and stopped shushing me altogether because she finally realized that when I laughed, that meant I was happy and she felt so sorry for telling me to be quiet all those years. Now when we laugh, we laugh with abandon and don't cover our mouths...that is, unless we're trying to stop because it's a totally inappropriate moment. ;)
2007-01-19 05:58:57 · answer #1 · answered by Greenteagirl 2 · 6⤊ 1⤋
traditionally it was rude to show the bones/teeth, so its a traditional thing. Since then its become a way of life -aka habit.
other things -
~bad teeth
~food in mouth(chewing etc)
~cover loud laugh
I lived in Japan for a few years and was totally immersed.
day after day of looking at bad teeth you really notice the good ones. Sometimes I would compliment a youth on their beautiful teeth and they would smile and be so happy that they got their first compliment for the year, and then would quickly cover their smile. (remembering the 'rules')
it was sad to see that, but good to see them happy.
My chinese friends do it here in New Zealand too.
2007-01-19 18:55:50 · answer #2 · answered by twikfat 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I guess it is a cultural thing, and we get used to it and the action becomes part of our daily lives so that we don't think much of it. And you're right, it is out of courtesy.
2007-01-19 05:53:26 · answer #3 · answered by Fatcat 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
In some asian cultures it's impolite to bear one's teeth, no matter the context.
2007-01-19 05:50:41 · answer #4 · answered by erin7 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
In Japan at least (and I'm sure for the other Buddhist, Asianic countries(, there was an old belief that showing bone was an unclean thing to do, and probably just continued passing down from from parent to child.
It's only a way to show modesty. Laughing heartily with the mouth flung open isn't a very modest thing for a young (or old) lady to do.
2007-01-19 09:13:42 · answer #5 · answered by Belie 7 · 6⤊ 6⤋
it's mainly disrepectful to Laugh Out Loud w/ your mouth open that'll mean you're about to eat someone or perhaps bite them. like a demon would...
2007-01-20 08:00:23 · answer #6 · answered by falcongrl89 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It 's rude for you to see me laughing with my mouth wide open...especially for women.
2007-01-19 05:50:03 · answer #7 · answered by Nickleby 3 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Out of resepct.
2007-01-19 13:41:46 · answer #8 · answered by warmth 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
It is something people in the western society dont know about...it is called POLITENESS!!
2007-01-19 11:20:28 · answer #9 · answered by Japan_is_home 5 · 6⤊ 3⤋