The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]


Do As I Say, Not As I Do …

As you know, I utterly love China.

Sure, there’s some things I’m not that keen on … the pollution and the copyright infringement to name a few … but apart from that, it’s amazing in so many ways.

The speed of change.

The integration of technology in daily life.

The TV programs that show a young girl make animals fall asleep on National TV.

All this from a communist country.

I know, everyone talks about China in terms of its mass consumption, and I get that, but make no mistake, China is a communist nation.

Sure, it doesn’t always appear that way.

[Though much of that is based on our prejudice of how a communist country should look]

And it doesn’t always act that way.

[Though communism never said the people couldn’t all be rich. Though that is far from being the case here so that’s not an argument I can make with a straight face]

But the fact is, it is … even if it is only demonstrated by the sorts of signs I saw above.

Though – to be fair – the sign isn’t really telling people to not spend their money on material possessions, but to warn sightseers [I took this at The Bund] of dodgy tourist guides.

But hey, since when has this blog – or advertising – been about ultra accuracy. Ahem.


17 Comments so far
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That’s some confucius shit right there.

Comment by Billy Whizz

Or it could be planner wank.

Comment by Billy Whizz

still too fucking clear for planner wank.

Comment by andy@cynic

That’s insight.

Comment by DH

I’ve always found it interesting that Chinese government imagery is always very cutey cutey. Do you think that is a throwback to the Mao propaganda years or their attempt to look more approachable?

Comment by George

nerd.

Comment by andy@cynic

Bit of both to be honest …

But this is very much a market that uses symbols and imagery of family and contentment in all communication … not just Governmental. It’s an unwritten rule that if you follow – and celebrate – the values of the nation, then you don’t stand out for any bad reasons.

Some may see it as cultural blackmail, but it’s not [well, not entirely] … it’s literally just how things work here.

Comment by Rob

you love china. we fucking get it campbell. but what we want to know is if china loves you. and if they do, theyre fucking mentals.

Comment by andy@cynic

What do the white symbols mean? Can you get your translator on the case?

Comment by John

They’re flowers John.

Comment by DH

But what do they mean?

Comment by John

I’m guessing “spring”.

Comment by DH

This part of the comment thread has gone weird.

Comment by Rob

Or should I say, ‘weirder’.

Comment by Rob

Says Mr Weird.

Comment by DH

“Watch, DVD, Handbag?”

Comment by Ian Gee

I’d get more sense out of Otis.

Comment by John




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