Laugh... but cover your mouth

今回Christinaに言われるまで気づきませんでしたが
日本人（特に女性）が笑うときは手で口を覆います。
「なぜ？」と聞かれたのですが、これはやはり
日本の文化、習慣ですよね。
あまり歯を見せて笑うのは良くない、
という思いがありますが、外国人にとっては
それが妙な感じなんですね〜。

A very surprising email arrived in my account
the other day. An Australian friend asked why
do Japanese girls cover their mouth when they
laugh - especially when they laugh a lot? Well,
that question stunned me for a moment. I sat
at my desk wondering what to write back to
my friend. Eventually, I wrote and explained
that covering the mouth is a cultural and perhaps
religious difference between East and West.
Mostly covering the mouth when laughing is
about being polite. It's considered very rude
in Japanese culture to show your teeth too
much or show inside of your mouth. But in
other countries it may be thought of as
strange not showing your teeth, as though
you are hiding something or being mysterious.
Anyway, I wonder what Japanese think of
foreigners who show their teeth while laughing?
It's a blessing to have a small mouth and
small teeth - thank goodness!

Stunned=同点する、呆然とする
=Really surprised, not knowing what to say
Eventually=結局は、ゆくゆくは、いつかは
=After a time of thinking
Considered=〜とみなす、考える
=Thought about something
rude=失礼な、無礼な、不作法な
Blessing=恩恵、ありがたいこと=Extra lucky
Thank goodness=ありがたい、よかった！
=An expression used to show you are happy

Extra examples using 'thank goodness' in everyday conversations:

'Thank goodness it's not raining today'
'Thank goodness it's my day off tomorrow'
'Thank goodness he phoned me last night'
'Thank goodness you are here, I was worried about you'
'Thank goodness you remembered her birthday'