Advice for Traveling with Braces

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#16 Post by **eternalshrew** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:27 am

tacoma braced wrote:Sounds like others had a difference experience than I recently had while traveling thru Africa regarding braces. Children were mesmerized and wanted to touch, adults were very curious- my favorite reaction? the man who yelled out "oh my god" in English, when he saw me smile.

Smile Broadly, and laugh together.. and enjoy every moment.

Thanks!

#17 Post by **tsmurfenator** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:29 pm

tacoma braced wrote:Sounds like others had a difference experience than I recently had while traveling thru Africa regarding braces. Children were mesmerized and wanted to touch, adults were very curious- my favorite reaction? the man who yelled out "oh my god" in English, when he saw me smile.

Smile Broadly, and laugh together.. and enjoy every moment.

This is fascinating to me. I would love to hear more, and know more details about location, age of people involved, situation, etc. I find it amazing that someone who could say "oh my god" in English (implying some exposure to western media, or foreigners in general) would not have seen braces before, to the point of generating so much excitement. I think it would be amazing to be in that situation, and I would love to do that. Since getting braces I have not received so much as a glance from anybody although I have been to some places where braces, while not non-existent, are pretty rare among adults.

The one place I have personally seen braces in sub-Saharan Africa is Ethiopia, although it was an urban environment. I have been to about 40 different countries, on 6 different continents, and have seen braces in just about every country. The most are in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. The least would be Africa & Europe, but they're still out there. In many countries where braces are not common, things such as gold teeth or even types of teeth jewels are common, so it is amazing to me that braces could attract so much interest.

#18 Post by **tsmurfenator** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:33 pm

eternalshrew wrote: I have been conversing with an email partner who doesn't speak English very well. I showed her a picture of myself. She asked me what was on my teeth. I told her orthodontic braces. She didn't understand. That's why I responded to someone who had been in a similar situation before.

Again very interesting. I'm curious of the details of where they're located, demographics, etc. It really is amazing to me that someone who speaks English and is emailing foreigners has not seen braces ever before. I have seen braces almost everywhere but I guess some people are somehow isolated.

#19 Post by **eternalshrew** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 3:15 pm

tsmurfenator wrote:
eternalshrew wrote: I have been conversing with an email partner who doesn't speak English very well. I showed her a picture of myself. She asked me what was on my teeth. I told her orthodontic braces. She didn't understand. That's why I responded to someone who had been in a similar situation before.
Again very interesting. I'm curious of the details of where they're located, demographics, etc. It really is amazing to me that someone who speaks English and is emailing foreigners has not seen braces ever before. I have seen braces almost everywhere but I guess some people are somehow isolated.

She lives in a village in the upper lower Himalayas. I mentioned she doesn't speak English well. She was born in Tibet and brought to this village as a young child. She's just learning how to use a computer.

#20 Post by **TigerLily** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 3:45 pm

I haven't been to as many 40 countries, but certainly I've been to a few and am off the beaten track due to my work.

I don't think I've ever been anywhere where braces are not known (though I haven't been to sub saharan africa) and most places braces are more common than the UK (well at least on adults).

I think the place I've been to where I saw the most braces was Brazil, it almost seemed like 1 in 10 of all adults I met were in braces (and kids too) and there didn't seem a difference between classes or town/country. In fact I remember at the airport on the way back from my last trip, there was this hot guy in the lounge and I deliberately didn't smile at him to avoid flashing my brackets and then he smiled at me, and he was braced.

#21 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 3:57 pm

I read the title of the post (traveling with braces...) and immediately thought, "Don't forget to take them with you!"

Okay, silly me but that is really what I thought.

#22 Post by **classII** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:09 pm

India's a 1 billion + consumer market. Almost all major consumer product manufacturers have factories there to service the domestic market e.g.:

http://www.colgate.co.in/app/Colgate/IN ... hwash.cvsp

You'll be fine.

#23 Post by **classII** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:15 pm

TigerLily wrote:
I think the place I've been to where I saw the most braces was Brazil, it almost seemed like 1 in 10 of all adults I met were in braces (and kids too) and there didn't seem a difference between classes or town/country.

Try a British West Indies Island where many staff are from Dominican Republic. From waitress to restuarant manager to THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. pit boss, age 20 thru 60. 9 out of 10 braced

Total shocker. I think it is free there. Sadly talking to some of them after flashing the same smile, whle they're well up on the treatment and what is wrong with their own particular cases, a lot haven't been home in 2, 3 even 4 years and have just left them on until they do return.

#24 Post by **tsmurfenator** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:18 pm

classII wrote: Try a British West Indies Island where many staff are from Dominican Republic. From waitress to restuarant manager to THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. THIS IS SPAM PLEASE REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. pit boss, age 20 thru 60. 9 out of 10 braced

More info please? Which island specifically?

#25 Post by **tsmurfenator** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:19 pm

TigerLily wrote: I think the place I've been to where I saw the most braces was Brazil, it almost seemed like 1 in 10 of all adults I met were in braces (and kids too) and there didn't seem a difference between classes or town/country.

Yep. The should rename the country "Bracesil"

#26 Post by **Mimi31** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:29 am

tacoma braced wrote:Sounds like others had a difference experience than I recently had while traveling thru Africa regarding braces. Children were mesmerized and wanted to touch, adults were very curious- my favorite reaction? the man who yelled out "oh my god" in English, when he saw me smile.

Smile Broadly, and laugh together.. and enjoy every moment.

I agree, I live in nairobi, and I'm the only person I know of with braces! We are definitely not used to seeing adults with braces (actually, even kids). But the attention you'll get will mostly be curiousity, just flow with it.

#27 Post by **Mimi31** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:40 am

Snowglobe32 wrote:I read the title of the post (traveling with braces...) and immediately thought, "Don't forget to take them with you!"

Okay, silly me but that is really what I thought.

hahahaha this is too funny