(no subject)
Last night over dinner, my Japanese hosts commented on the beauty of Jess and I's white teeth.
After showing them the silver of our permament retainers, Jess and I let out some angst concerning braces in junior high and nightgear in high school. Hirokazu, a 32-year-old engineer, and (house)wife Masumi shrugged and smiled. Then, Hiro covered his mouth and feigned embarrassment at his teeth.
They then asked if there was a specific cultural reason for full-toothed, straight North American smiles. We all postulated about the importance of Hollywood images in both our cultures. And in both Japanese and American media, straight white teeth are an essential, and rarely mentioned, TV pre-requisite.
However, many of my high school and adults students' mouths look like character sketches for the "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Japan is the 2nd most industralized nation in the world, and many of the preschoolers I have seen have 4 times as many silver caps on their teeth as my mom.
Soon I found myself explaining along the lines "Well, in America, the government puts a chemical in our water that preserves and cleans our teeth. It is the same chemical found in our toothpaste..."
Hiro and Masumi were shocked.
Masumi "I would not want that chemical on my skin and ruining my hair."
And Hiro thought the enitre concept was cruel and unnatural. Then, they both thought we were exaggerating to shock them.
We assured them weren't kidding. So, they chided us and pretended we were naive children taken in by a Big Top Barker.
Jessica "Flouride. It doesn't hurt your body. Just helps your teeth."
Hiro "Flourrr-id-o. Sounds bad. Sounds like you wouldn't want it on you."
"Well, you don't even have it in your toothpaste, and this is one secret to our smiles."
Despite my Toni Morrison like attempt at closure on this topic, I could see the sputtering documentary reel complete with a jittery Wild America soundtrack that was playing behind their saucer-like eyes.
Morticians' bleached, dead teeth. Vietnamese dying theirs red and black. Africans sharpening theirs. ODB with gold initials stamped on his. And North Americans brushing theirs day and night, permanently wiring theirs, and drinking magic water with toxins that gave their smiles extra luster.
Our conversation eventually switched to something less strange, and we had an enjoyable meal together, teaching some English and learning some Japanese.
After showing them the silver of our permament retainers, Jess and I let out some angst concerning braces in junior high and nightgear in high school. Hirokazu, a 32-year-old engineer, and (house)wife Masumi shrugged and smiled. Then, Hiro covered his mouth and feigned embarrassment at his teeth.
They then asked if there was a specific cultural reason for full-toothed, straight North American smiles. We all postulated about the importance of Hollywood images in both our cultures. And in both Japanese and American media, straight white teeth are an essential, and rarely mentioned, TV pre-requisite.
However, many of my high school and adults students' mouths look like character sketches for the "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Japan is the 2nd most industralized nation in the world, and many of the preschoolers I have seen have 4 times as many silver caps on their teeth as my mom.
Soon I found myself explaining along the lines "Well, in America, the government puts a chemical in our water that preserves and cleans our teeth. It is the same chemical found in our toothpaste..."
Hiro and Masumi were shocked.
Masumi "I would not want that chemical on my skin and ruining my hair."
And Hiro thought the enitre concept was cruel and unnatural. Then, they both thought we were exaggerating to shock them.
We assured them weren't kidding. So, they chided us and pretended we were naive children taken in by a Big Top Barker.
Jessica "Flouride. It doesn't hurt your body. Just helps your teeth."
Hiro "Flourrr-id-o. Sounds bad. Sounds like you wouldn't want it on you."
"Well, you don't even have it in your toothpaste, and this is one secret to our smiles."
Despite my Toni Morrison like attempt at closure on this topic, I could see the sputtering documentary reel complete with a jittery Wild America soundtrack that was playing behind their saucer-like eyes.
Morticians' bleached, dead teeth. Vietnamese dying theirs red and black. Africans sharpening theirs. ODB with gold initials stamped on his. And North Americans brushing theirs day and night, permanently wiring theirs, and drinking magic water with toxins that gave their smiles extra luster.
Our conversation eventually switched to something less strange, and we had an enjoyable meal together, teaching some English and learning some Japanese.