What are the small towels good for?

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Why does a Japanese men and women carry those small towels always everywhere? Especially around summer.

Yes, it's true, salarymen, retired men and women carry them. So does the school children and propably every woman in Japan. It's not just for the sweat in summer.

Maybe this small towel is a personal item that provides a little personal cleaniness. And it's always personal, I've never seen a person borrowing it to friend, a couple is another matter. But parents don't borrow it to their children since they are afraid that germs would spread.

Here's the most popular list of things how you could use one of the small or towels. Please post your suggestions to the end.

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traditional clothing?
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1. A handkerchief. To sneeze quietly in a crowded train, and to filter off largest germs. Works in same way as a suppressor in a pistol.

2. A handkerchief. Wipe out the sweat from your face and forehead. In summer, it's really good and makes you cool down so much.

3. Wiping the screen of your mobile phone.

4. Hold the handle in Japanese commuter train. (Nice grip!)

5. Sleep against the steel railing in Japanese train. (Otherwise it feels so cold and uncomfortable to a touch)

6. ..wipe your drool after you wake up. (Two stops after your destination)

7. Dry your hands after visiting public toilet (don't worry, there is not going to be towels or air dryers anyway)

8. Dip it in a cold water, give it a squeeze and put it on your neck. Cools down pretty nicely in summer.

9. Same as above but apply on your eyes while lying on your back. Great for headache.

10. A fashion accessory for both men and women. You should show it to everyone.

11. A status symbol (think of one with Burberry checks or Gucci..)

12. Cover your blush after drooling on someone's shoulder, accidentally when falling asleep on train.

13. Hold hot tokkuri of sake (!)

Have you ever been to Hakone?
This is one of the towns we recommend.

14. Hold too cold can of beer (!!)

15. Wipe a table after eating? (No, this didn't really work.)

16. Form a small purse of it to gather seeds of watermelon or seed of a plum when eating outside (remember to empty it before putting it in your bag) (this is trying too much)

17. To wipe off your fingerprints after a robbery (to a bakery or MacDonalds)

18. Use as a wash cloth.

19. Warm your neck in winter.

20. Use as a hairband (requires special skill and can be only done with one of the long towels)

For the last, there is one thing what it isn't good for is to cover your private parts while visiting public bath, onsen.

What do you think?

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Comments

where to buy the hand towels

I can't seem to find these on the internet to buy some?

#1 - happypam - 05/26/2008 - 16:11

This little piece of towel was a live saver this past week!

#2 - paulina - 08/29/2009 - 11:04

Where can I buy them in the US?

I'd LOVE to get some hankachi for men, especially the cool ones from uniqlo, but they don't sell them anywhere online. Not even on ebay! Help? Suggestions? I'd appreciate your assistance! :-)