Asian Laughing Culture. A look into why girls cover their mouth
The silly girl who reveals cultural behavior
Sutiben seeing this more and more often. Can’t believe no saw it before. It first came to mind on the Korean drama “Chuno” where a peasant girl, Sul Hwa, was trying to imitate a rich girl.
Everything from dress style, attitude and behavior. Why? Oh, that’s not important. 1
After observing enough how the other woman acts, Sul Hwa goes next to the main male character to try out her new learned behavior.
The best part was how she would laugh “gracefully” and put a hand in front of her mouth just like the other girl would. Of course, the way Sul Hwa did it made it seem unnatural.
The main character didn’t pay any attention, knowing what she was trying to do. ‘twas a funny scene.
Why it’s right for Asian girls to hide their mouth?
Anyhoo, no think much of it until a few months later, sutiben finds a Korean actress covering her mouth in a similar form during a variety show. This then led to a search for answers.
*crosses arms & whispers* suti no like not knowing things…
This was what suti discovered:
Korean etiquette is influenced by Confucianism, which teaches that public displays of emotion should be repressed. It’s obviously been watered down a lot over the years, but you can see many women still adhering to this instinct…
Followed by what looks like a reasonable explanation.
Korean women, for example, were taught not to laugh out loud in front of others. Not only were they forbidden to make laughing noises, it was also considered improper to reveal their lips when laughing. So for ages, Korean women have been turning their heads away from others or covering their mouths whenever they laughed or smiled. Laughter was considered an unfeminine behavior that should be hidden or covered up …
Sutiben thought at first this was only for Koreans but squintox said no. So going back to research. sutiben uncovers this is part of a tradition for Japanese women too.
From way back, not baring one’s teeth in front of others when laughing and not opening one’s mouth wide and showing the inside of the mouth was one of the decorums of etiquette strictly observed by women.
It was strictly observed because from ancient times, women in Japan dyed their teeth black (ohaguro)
Not know if any of these are real reasons but looks like it applies to all Asian women. *scratches head* Wonder if guys too?
Was going to leave things at that but sutiben now seeing more girls covering their mouth everywhere on Korean TV. Maybe this custom bigger today than sutiben thought?
All suti knows is it looks cute when done… (^_^)
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hehe the guy she crushed on liked the rich one.. ^^ What did you expect? ↩
