Let's psychosomatic!

[Taro Toporific]

A sensitivity course in the frigid effects of hiesho
Thursday, June 19, 2003 / Japan Times
"Hey, what's with all the clothing during the hottest months of the year?" That's my friend Alan's observation of the working women populace in Japan. Nagasode (long sleeves), uwagi (outer jacket) and suttokingu (nylons) are the norm for so many of them, despite the unbearable heat and humidity of a Japanese summer. ...
..."You insensitive gaijin you," I snarled. "Don't you understand that most Japanese women suffer from the condition known as hiesho (inclined to be chilly) and our three sworn enemies are reibo (air conditioning), shikke (dampness) and usugi (thin clothing)?

[Iambobo]

I myself was wondering why people seemed to wear inappropriate clothing at different times of the year when I first got here. It didn't really bother me, so I never said anything about it.

Are you saying that things like air conditioners are to blame? I know that they have been accused of causing all kinds of problems such as legionaires disease in some countries....but heisho? Or am I missing the point here?

[kotatsuneko]

hmm if only more women here did indeed wear stockings rather than panst.. ^^

might help the problem GomiGrrl hinted at earlier also

[GomiGirl]

Well stockings might look great but they are extremely impractical - hence the need for tights.

The spray on stuff looks great as bare legs look terrible and unprofessional for work but tights are hot and uncomfortable.

Stockings are just for special occassions and not for everyday.