There’s also the cultural factor. In many parts of Asia social pressure is very high, and that strongly shapes how people behave.
I’ve traveled to Chengdu and Shenzhen in China, and the culture shock was huge. I don’t know if it’s specific to those cities, but I saw a lot of people cosplaying and walking around in costume as if it were totally normal. I also witnessed several street live-streams: a girl dancing in the middle with a bunch of people around her recording.
I was stopped a few times too. The first time I was actually startled. People there are very talkative, they take photos without much ceremony, and they don’t seem to mind photographing someone repeatedly. It’s a very different way of being from what I’m used to.
In Japan I felt a different vibe. People are more reserved in everyday life. Interestingly, I didn’t see as much cosplay as I expected, but I did see many people wearing bolder or more striking styles.
Either way, everyone has their own way of thinking. If we stay upset or sad about something we can’t change, we end up poisoning ourselves from the inside. Growing up also means realizing that many of our worries are simply unnecessary.
And many things that were once considered “absurd” in our own countries have become common over time.
“Worrying never made anything better; it only robs today of its beauty.”