Different countries, different customs: while in Germany, for example, people tend to loosen their tie or leave it off altogether in extreme heat, in Japan it is quickly turned into a cooling cloth – in the form of cooling ties with small cold packs or special gel inserts worked into them. Some have towelling fabric on the side that sits on the neck, which also absorbs sweat.
Japan is widely regarded as particularly inventive when it comes to getting through the summer. Many of these methods initially seem unusual to Europeans, but they are based on simple physiological principles: from a scientific point of view, cooling the neck, wrists, armpits and groin is especially effective, because large blood vessels run close to the skin there. That is why these Japanese cooling tricks can genuinely do more than their slightly quirky appearance suggests to us.
Ice rings worn around the neck are also very popular in Japan. Cooling the neck area can reduce the sensation of heat throughout the body. A colour-coordinated towel casually draped around the neck, which is dampened from time to time, is also often part of a typical summer outfit.
Tenugui cloths, small, thin traditional cotton towels that are moistened and discreetly worn under shirt collars, suits or hats, are another common way of cooling down.
