Blowing your nose: is this acceptable social practice here?

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
1
Hi,

I am almost always disgusted with people (mostly westerners, never seen chinese or asian before), doing their nasal clearance during or after a meal.

Sometimes it is due to sickness, but I noticed that even healthy people in winter usually does this nose-blowing (into a handkerchief or tissuepaper), seemingly oblivious to the stares from me. Others seem to think this is ok.

Is nose-blowing a perfectly normal and socially accepted practise here (or in your home country)?

2
Yep - in a word.......

I would say many nations have habits that other nations find repulsive, I have heard of many - so when in Rome put up with what the Romans do

3
Do you get offended when people in your native land burp after a meal?

4
I don't really see this as a Swiss-related thing, but more of an Eastern vs Western culture thing.

During my time in Asia I did find it odd that it would be considered rude to blow my nose (at least in Japan) in public - not just at the table. As I sat next to people with running noses who were constantly sniffing and sniveling I wanted to shout (I don't want to see the snot popping in and out of your nose, please blow it!). I was also struck by the irony of actually showing appreciation by slurping noodle soup, as opposed to the Western idea of minimised noises while eating (except conversation, and then without food in the mouth at the same time).

I guess from Hat's point of view he finds the nose blowing thing disgusting, but westerners see it as a practical way to avoid constant sniffling. Likewise he probably sees things which we consider digusting as normal.

But like I said - I don't see a Swiss specific angle here. Staring - yes, chewing food with frequently open mouth - maybe, but blowing nose - nope.

5
Personally it was not people blow their noses in public that shocked me, it was the noise they made. Now im getting used to it. I agree this is more a cultural thing, there are many asian habits seem to be unacceptable to western people as well.

I recall that once some swiss colleagues complained to me that our chinese colleagues treated them chicken feet and fish head during their stay in China. But they have no idea that the Swiss fondue is just as disgusting to the Chinese...

6
ooohhhh....fish head curry and braised chicken feet...yami yami.

Spitting is considered ok in China (I am not from China, and I only spit when I am sick and in places no one is looking). However they are changing that for the Olympics in China.

Eating half-born chicks in Vietnam is a delicacy. (yaks to me too)

Clearing the nose is quite ok, if done properly and at appropriate times.

However I think it is rude to do it, when someone else at the table is still eating. Much like lighting up a cigarette when there is someone else at the table or even nearby is still eating.

HAT

7
HAT,

There are a lot more important subjects in the world to complain about than blowing ur nose!!..

I am actually very surprised that people even responded to this thread!!

8
I am sure there are more important things in the world, worth discussing here.

This forum section is "complain corner", however my post was more like a question or poll, related to a possible complaint about a social act which I don't like.

If you do not see that, or have been offended, please don't waste your time in this thread.

Your time may be needed elsewhere.

HAT

9
The complaints corner is specific to living in Switzerland.... If this is your first country outside your little sweet Asia.. then Im sorry... I think you should go back to your lil sweet country...

BTW... Im Asian..

If you want to live like an expat, yes you have to accept a few things... And understand other country's cultures.. Not whine at every single thing...!!

10
Since this thread has become more of a western vs eastern culture issue than a Swiss issue, I've moved it to off topic. Happy trumpeting!

11
Yes holy one, mother to all asians, amen.

Suddenly it is all clear to me, your timely advice is certainly worth your time and to post it here, you saved me!

Thanks, what would I do, without your friendly asian-to-asian prompting?

I'd better start packing.

12
HAT,

Please try and keep this off-topic topic on topic? Let's keep it to nose blowing, ok?

13
It must be me. A lightning rod for disciplinary and personal comments on me, from people I hardly know, and he did not even talk about nose-blowing.

Sorry, I would feel better, if someone reads the thread carefully, and spot who run off topic first, telling me to shut up or ship out, back to my lil sweet asian country.

Sorry, maybe it is just me, looking and relooking at the facts (thread log) before posting.

I am going to bed now, should have listened to your "pssst" post.

HAT

14
If you use words like "disgusted"... then you gotta be able to also accept some crap back mate

"I am almost always disgusted with people..."

No hard feelings... I owe u a beer next time when I see ya in person...

Peace out

15

Thanks, it is my manly period time.

Angry and quick to draw.

I will try not to question or stare at people nose-blowing, although I really think it is disgusting habit.

Ok ok, eating braised chicken feet, is also disgusting to westerners.

Have a nice weekend, all!

16

Thanks, it is my manly "period" time.

Angry and quick to draw.

I will try not to question or stare at people nose-blowing, although I really think it is disgusting habit.

Ok ok, eating braised chicken feet, is also disgusting to westerners.

Have a nice weekend, all!

17
What if it's not a habit? What if it's a result of a condition, such as extreme allergy, or perhaps you've had your nasal passages rebored?

Is the disgust you suffer is a result of something else. For example finding amputees disgusting owning to fear of losing a limb.

18
If I need to blow my nose during a meal, I excuse myself from the table (if it's possible I do it in the bathroom, so I can check if my nose is clean!). If I'm on the train for example, I'd rather have someone blow their nose than listening to them sniff their way through the journey. But my pet hate in the sniffing department is when people do the big sinus-clearing sniff and then swallow - that's enough to make me change carriages! Now that's disgusting.

19
Sorry, but I limit my disgust (or more politely "displeasure") to seeing people blow their nose as a habit (especially at the dinnertable while others are still eating). However I do accept that this is the standard practice here and in many parts of the world too.

People with sensitive noses, flu and sudden need to clear their noses, are not included.

HAT

20
My sentiments exactly and my suggested behaviour for myself!

Thanks, this makes our environment (esp during meal times) so much more hygienic.

I was about to ask if people wash the fruits from supermarkets before eating, but someone else stopped me from posting such a NOT-IMPORTANT question.

HAT