It is not pacifying people. It is so when I cough or sneeze, my own bloody germs don't go all over the place and land on chairs, food or you. It is a basic courtesy item in Japan and as I suffer from all-year allergies and sneezer often, I am frankly glad that people will not think I try to kill them with my germ. Much lower infection rate and welcoming another perspective in my opinion is a good thing.