sniff sniff

I have a few symptoms of a slightly run down cold. Not a rare occurence for me. But I'm discovering the joys of green tea: rich in Vitamin C, high in caffeine and, well that's about it really. Fruit is well expensive over here, but I've got oranges and what not. Btw, did you know strawberries are the fruit containing the most Vitamin C? Well, now you know, but anyway it's all a bit beside the point...
Being a bit sniffely today, I can't just blow my nose in the staffroom, oh no, I have to get my tissues and go somewhere else that's not in the way of others. Japanese people don't blow their noses in public. They just sniff sniff sniff. (Well one or two of you might think that's not too bad for me, as often back home I'd do the same anyway!) However, when you're walking around town here, you will invariably be given packets of tissues. Back home, people stand on high streets and give out random fliers, but here they stick the flier/ advert in a packet of tissues. Makes sense really- people feel more inclined to take them, so I rarely have to buy any myself which is a bonus.
But when Japanese have a cold or feel in danger of catching one, they wear a mask over their nose and mouth: like a surgical one people were seen to be wearing during the SARS outbreak a few years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if people think I'm a bit rude not to be wearing one when I have a slight cold, but it really doesn't appeal. I remember seeing someone wearing one for the first time when I came here 4 years ago on the train from Narita airport to Ichikawa, and I just didn't understand it. It was probably one of the first examples of culture shock I experienced in Japan.