Hygiene

Yesterday, I spied my students’ little bags of basil and chamomile flavored toothpaste. Most adults brush their teeth at work (school and the town office), and at school, all of the kids brush their teeth after lunch everyday.
I never realized that I considered brushing my teeth a private matter, but trying to converse with teachers with toothbrushes hanging in their mouths, brought the issue to light for me। Brushing together while casually leaning on the desks introduces a strange intimacy that makes me feel like we are having a sleepover or something. Even the thought of spitting together in the common area sink is just too much for me to handle. I gave it a try and it just didn’t quite fit my hygienic style… ok well I tried it for umm, only a day, but that was enough to satisfy my curiosity. Ultimately, it’s the sound of hacking that kills me. Walk by any men’s room after lunch and you will hear the sound of intense lung expulsions. Smoking is very popular here so I think that may explain the big chunks of whatever is coming out of them. When I go to the town office in the afternoon, I hear a loud, from the back of the throat combination of coughing and almost struggle-like chokes. It literally sounds like their lungs are being vomited out of their mouths. Good　times。