Originally Posted by
FlyingUnderTheRadar
As said it is cultural. Most people not understand that at least in Asia the people who wear them are being polite about not spreading their cold (i thought it the opposite when bird flu was an issue). In North American I think the only people who at one time worn masks were those with HIV and had immunity issues. So just chalk it up to ignorance.
It's not ignorance, it's a different comfort level. I am not comfortable being around people in surgical masks -- as has been said, it's a cultural difference, but not cultural ignorance. To me, it separates one from the surrounding people and makes it difficult to communicate with them. (Yes, I also find it difficult to communicate with surgeons wearing masks.) I don't like being around people who try to distance and separate themselves from me - other people brought up in other cultures may feel differently.
Knowing the OP wears them to avoid catching a virus, rather than to avoid spreading one, makes me even more uncomfortable.