In Asian restaurants and airlines is it correct etiquette to use the hot towel on my face?
In many Asian restaurants both inside and outside Asia, and also on some Asian airlines such as Korean and JAL if I recall correctly, hot cloth towels are given out to all passengers before each meal.
I know they're for cleaning your hands prior to eating but I've never been sure whether it's correct etiquette in the relevant Asian cultures to also use the towel on my face. I'm always too shy to ask.
I've definitely seen other westerners use them on their face and I've done so myself and found it very refreshing, but I've always been a bit worried that I might be doing something other people might find vulgar or even disgusting since I know ideas of hygiene vary widely and in surprising ways around the world.
(I'm not asking if I should do it, I'm just asking if it's good or bad etiquette in Asian cultures. Obviously it's my choice whether to regard other passengers'/diners' sensibilities or not.)
Best Answer
In Japan, it's considered slightly gauche to do this. It's the kind of thing expected of a "country" person, or an oji-san (old man). I don't think anyone will find it offensive or disgusting. The vast majority of people won't care at all. And, if you are a westerner, you're not expected to follow (or even be aware of) Japanese customs, anyway.
In China, it's perfectly fine.
I don't now about Korea, Thailand, India, Khazakstan, or other Asian countries.
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What are you supposed to do with a hot towel at a restaurant?
Hot Towels (Wiping the back of your neck or behind your ears is best not done in a restaurant.) Most waiters will take the towel away as soon as you've finished, If not, leave the towel at the left of your plate, on top of your loosely folded napkin.Why do Japanese restaurants give hot towels?
Generally, the hot towels handed out in Japanese restaurants are used for cleaning your hands. As you can assume, this tradition originates from Japan where hot towels are handed out before meals to cleanse the hands. The Japanese word Oshibori translates to wet towels.What do you do with hot towels at Japanese restaurants?
1. Japanese restaurants often provide a small hot towel called an oshibori. This is to wipe your hands but not your face. You may see some Japanese wiping their faces with their oshibori, but sometimes this is considered bad form. If you must use your oshibori on your face, wipe your face first, then your hands.Why do people serve hot towels?
Traditionally, a hot or cold towel is provided to a guest upon their arrival at a business, restaurant, or F&B establishment as a way to say, \u201cWelcome.Airline Hot Towel
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