Friday, August 01, 2008

"Behaving Properly in Beijing"

Yesterday, the day before... and even the day before that, we read in the press re Gordon and David's dress sense.

Today the 15 million people of Beijing ( according to "The Times" ) have received THEIR own instructions on the matter....and it's not JUST re their dress sense, it's also about their behaviour. These instructions have been handed out by the Capital Spiritual Civilisation Construction Committee, in readiness for the Games. There's an official website ( 9 pages) and 36 areas of behaviour are targeted.

Would you believe: Feet should be kept slightly apart or in the shape of a V when standing. Men mustn't roll their trousers up or sport white socks with black shoes. Men's hair shouldn't grow over their eyebrows, ears or collars. No men's chests should be seen...uncovered, of course. And clothes shouldn't be too small, as fat people are seen as unreliable...

ALSO women with thick legs should wear dark stockings. They shouldn't appear in clashing colours: 3 colour groups only to be used at once. Everyone is to go easy on garlic and always have a clean mouth, particularly taxi drivers. Leather skirts and transparent garments aren't advised. Fatties should avoid horizontal stripes....And the people of Beijing should have hair combed appropriately for their age, occupation and situation... and they should never, ever, fight over paying a bill OR press others to drink at a banquet..

OK, you may mock and sigh and Thank Heaven for British Freedom.... and yes, of course folk shouldn't be dictated to... and yes, of course it's totally Over The Top.... BUT (hmm) just imagine your own city at the end of a boozy Saturday night: just a little bit of this may perhaps not go completely amiss.....??!

10 Comments:

Blogger Philippa said...

You should see Plymouth Barbican area on a Saturday night......mini skirts (these days that seems to be a pseudonym for a wide belt!) and high heels, regardless of one's size, weight or waistline (or bum size!) Yuk. Are we becoming grumpy old women? I don't think so, just know what looks good - and what doesn't!
(PS Didn't intend spelling "hi" wrong in my previous blog! And, yes, the pics of little Alice were adorable. Hope she is doing well?
Off to Crete on Sunday so a short break from blog reading. X

5:49 pm  
Blogger Catherine said...

Or perhpas we should take our clue from Singapore which cracks down heavily on such crimes as littering. It's criticised for being too repressive, but at least it is clean, without quite going to the lengths described above

1:17 am  
Blogger Kay Cooke said...

how funny! But yes I can see some sense in it all - but why not black shoes with white socks?

4:31 am  
Blogger Unknown said...

LOL! thinking of someone trying to apply this in South Africa! They'd be laughed out of the house.
I'm deeply anti all things repressive, but perhaps for obvious reasons - seen it before and frankly, it's heinous. Trouble is, finding the balance isn't an easy thing either.

6:07 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually I almost immediately thought of some of your descriptions of Chester and how a little bit of micro-managing might be swell on a Saturday night!

4:06 am  
Blogger Lucy said...

Looks like they got Trinny and Susannah in to draw this lot up! I suppose they spent so long wearing uniform blue denim, the whole idea of dress sense is quite novel, really.

I'd go along with the white socks and black shoes rule, mind you,
...

11:08 am  
Blogger herhimnbryn said...

Scares me. Such repression.

11:56 pm  
Blogger Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I would be happy to issue my own directives. Other people are dictators of course, I would just be enlightened.
No ear rings for men. No shirts open to the waist. No very tight high pony tails. No head to toe beige. No sandals with socks. None of those hard bags which snap shut and have cruel shiny sides. No dreadlocks. No jeans worn with the crotch around the knees.
Oh dear, now look what you've started.

7:56 pm  
Blogger Jan said...

Philippa:
Hope Crete a lovely holiday.
And yes, new babe is a sweetie.

Catherine:
Interesting point.
Appreciated.

Kay:
I think white socks/white shoes OR black socks/black shoes...
ne'er the twaion shall meet but that's just one opinion.
Good to see you.

Vanilla:
Finding the balance....yes, THAT goes for just about everything, doesn't it?!

Marly:
Do you fancy a trip over to give it a try??!!
Nice seeing you Marly as ever.

Lucy:
Pleeese Lucy.... NOT T+S!

Hehhimnbryn:
Hmm.
Read your comment then saw THe Socks....!!

Elizabeth:
Some list, that.
Is there a story attached re the bag with "cruel shiny sides"??
You have me wondering...

2:40 pm  
Blogger Anil P said...

This is most interesting, hadn't imagined there would be a code like this.

7:02 pm  

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