A better Beijing in the Year of the Rooster?
Could “beginner’s luck”, or its variant, apply to newcomers in a city?
And, would such luck diminish progressively with each passing month? Stated differently, do people stop noticing, or take for granted, positives about the place where they work and live after a while? Or, do they fall out of love with the perceived positives and begin to discern the notso-pleasant aspects?
Such questions fill my mind every time I read or hear accounts of my new colleagues and acquaintances in Beijing. For answers, I haven’t attempted to ransack sociology, urban studies or psychology bookshelves in any library yet. (I suspect
This Day, That Year
ItemfromJan23,1982,in ChinaDaily:Theplastic flowercounteratBeijing’s WangfujingDepartment Storeiscrowdedwitheager customersshoppingfor SpringFestivaldecorations. …
To almost every Chinese family, preparing for the Spring Festival holiday is one of the most significant tasks of the whole year.
Cleaning the house, buying new clothes for family members, and making arrangements for the New there must be some tomes on the subject out there, possibly by disgruntled 34-year-old PhD types in a desperate hurry to finish their theses so they can start their adult life as deputy assistant associate professors, or some such grand-sounding positions, and work their academic way up the university ladder.)
Anyway, the Great 21stCentury Smog notwithstanding, almost every one of my new colleagues and acquaintances from other countries appears to have something nice to say about Beijing, which has been my home since September 2015.
I certainly know where they are coming from — I was there not so long ago. Done that too. I still do. But …
But — there, the word has to butt in, you see — truth be told, some things could be better in Beijing.
Since the Year of the Rooster is almost upon us, Year’s Eve dinner are at the top of the to-do list. Home decoration is crucial, too.
Paper-cuttings, red lanterns, paintings with “fu”, which conveys great fortune and happiness, and flowers all play a key role in New Year celebrations.
Such traditions are also widely followed in other Asian countries such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
With the rapid development of China’s economy, how about making some Chinese New Year resolutions (for others, that is) to make Beijing a better capital city?
You shall not disregard traffic signals: Beijing must be the only capital city on this planet where motorists ignore red signals and charge at pedestrians crossing intersections on green lights.
You shall not bare your potbelly outdoors during summer: Gentlemen, please note. Agree Beijing gets a bit hot between May and July, but to roll up singlets and T-shirts up to your moobs and walk around outside your home is taking things a bit too far (or up).
You shall not underestimate your own ability to communicate in English: “Sorry, I can’t speak English. I know only a little. You go straight and take the first right. Then, walk for about 150 meters and turn left at the signal. There, right oppo- and a steady rise in people’s disposable incomes, many families can now afford imported fresh flowers. Orchids and peonies are among the most popular.
Orchids have long been considered a symbol of fertility and abundance. They also signify refinement, luxury and innocence.
Peonies are associated site the defunct telephone booth…” Oh yes, you can speak English well. Very well.
You shall not park rented bicycles at deserted, undesignated spots: Mobike and Ofo are such wonderful, helpful services for city folk. But inconsiderate consumers could sound the death knell for the startups with their thoughtlessness.
You shall not fleece cinemagoers: What’s the net benefit for patrons if you, the film exhibitor, offer attractive discount on tickets booked via websites or apps, but sell a 500ml bottle of water for 33 yuan ($5) at your refreshments stall?
You shall not walk away without cleaning up your pet’s mess on the sidewalk: Carry a pooper- scooper, please.
Happy New Year.
Contact the writer at siva@chinadaily.com.cn with feminine beauty, innocence, affection, and charm. They are known as the flowers of riches and honor. Red peonies are considered particularly auspicious.
The Lunar New Year, or the Year of the Rooster, starts on Jan 28.