Different countries, different customs: while in Germany people tend to loosen their tie or leave it off altogether in extreme heat, in Japan it is simply turned into a cooling cloth – in the form of cooling ties with small cold packs or special gel inserts sewn in. Some have towelling fabric on the side that lies on the neck, which also soaks up sweat.
Japan is regarded as particularly inventive when it comes to getting through the summer. Many of these methods may at first 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 major blood vessels run close to the surface of the skin there. That is why these Japanese cooling tricks can in fact achieve more than their slightly quirky appearance suggests to us.
Cooling rings worn around the neck are also very popular in Japan. When the neck area is cooled, the body’s overall perception of heat can decrease. A colour-coordinated towel casually draped round the neck, which is moistened from time to time, is often simply part of a typical summer outfit.
Tenugui cloths – small, thin traditional cotton towels that are dampened and discreetly worn under shirt collars, suits or hats – are also a common way of cooling down there.
