Note comments made concerning the appearance of various people. What are the criteria for being considered well-groomed?
How often do they bathe?
- Wash their hands and face?
- Brush their teeth?
- What is used as the cleaning agent–soap, toothpaste, bark from trees, dental floss?
- How is body waste cleaned off and disposed of?
How do they care for their skin?
- What is considered beautiful skin and how is it attained?
- Do people scarify, mutilate or tattoo parts of the body? At what age? Who does the procedure?
- What body parts are affected?
- Why is it done?
How are the teeth cared for?
- What is thought to be attractive (stained teeth, filed teeth, white teeth)? By young people as well?
- Is gold put on or in teeth? Why and how?
- Is betel chewed?
- Are there dentists? Are they patronized? When? Can someone with a toothache just walk into an office, or do appointments have to be made? How?
- What is considered the reason for tooth decay and how can it be prevented?
What is the attitude toward body odors?
- Which odors are unpleasant?
- Which are pleasant?
- How do foreigners or other outsiders smell?
- What is used as a deodorant?
- Are perfumes or other ointments used ordinarily, at festivities, or to enhance sexuality?
How do they care for their hair (shampooing, cutting, arranging, etc.)?
- What is the traditional hair style? Is this changing with the young people
- What is available for shampoo?
- What other ointments, oils, etc. are used?
- How do they care for their nails?
- Must nail and hair clippings be disposed of carefully? How?
- Are certain times more auspicious for clipping?
What types of ornaments do women wear on their bodies and clothing?
- What type do men wear?
- How does festive attire differ from ordinary clothing in terms of fabric, ornamentation or adornment?
- What jewelry is worn and when?
- Does this indicate relative status?
- At what age are ears, noses, or other parts pierced? Who does this?
- How are festive clothes and valuables cared for?
