When my family visited me in Korea for the very first time, there were naturally several questions that they asked me. One of them was about why there seemed to be people brushing their teeth in public bathrooms. To be frank, that was also one of the things that I found to be surprising during my first few months in the country.
In Indonesia, people usually brush their teeth only twice a day. Once in the morning and once before bed. This was already considered to be the standard dental practice that even dentists approve of. However, after spending some time in Korea, I noticed how common it is for people to brush their teeth even after lunch. It’s not just something a few unique people do. It’s a part of the daily routine for many students and office workers.
It used to be a little awkward for me to see people casually walk into the bathroom with a mini dental kit in hand, but now it’s something that I find admirable, as they strive to pay attention to their personal cleanliness and hygiene. In fact, many of my Korean friends carry their own dental kits in their bags, and it’s perfectly normal to freshen up after a meal.
This small cultural difference made me reflect on how hygiene practices can be different from country to country, and how something that seems unusual at first can actually be a thoughtful habit. Nowadays, I find myself starting to slowly do the same. I carry a mini bottle of mouthwash with me, and I no longer feel self-conscious when I have to use it in a public bathroom. It has been one of the healthier routines that I adopted, thanks to Korea!
Photo Credits: il21
When my family visited me in Korea for the very first time, there were naturally several questions that they asked me. One of them was about why there seemed to be people brushing their teeth in public bathrooms. To be frank, that was also one of the things that I found to be surprising during my first few months in the country.
In Indonesia, people usually brush their teeth only twice a day. Once in the morning and once before bed. This was already considered to be the standard dental practice that even dentists approve of. However, after spending some time in Korea, I noticed how common it is for people to brush their teeth even after lunch. It’s not just something a few unique people do. It’s a part of the daily routine for many students and office workers.
It used to be a little awkward for me to see people casually walk into the bathroom with a mini dental kit in hand, but now it’s something that I find admirable, as they strive to pay attention to their personal cleanliness and hygiene. In fact, many of my Korean friends carry their own dental kits in their bags, and it’s perfectly normal to freshen up after a meal.
This small cultural difference made me reflect on how hygiene practices can be different from country to country, and how something that seems unusual at first can actually be a thoughtful habit. Nowadays, I find myself starting to slowly do the same. I carry a mini bottle of mouthwash with me, and I no longer feel self-conscious when I have to use it in a public bathroom. It has been one of the healthier routines that I adopted, thanks to Korea!
Photo Credits: il21