Baby Culture

In honor of my best friends in labor RIGHT NOW, I thought I would post a few pics of Chinese baby culture.  Here are the most popular baby fashions in China, split-crotch pants.

Yes, they look weird, and you wonder what the purpose is...well I'll tell you! The Chinese believe and some practice the art of "elimination control" as its named in the US.  Or more specifically, the hold the baby over the street or when the get a bit older they teach them to squat down and go to the bathroom, the split crotch pants just provide easy access. I have heard many stories of parents teaching their kids to go, when the whistle, but I have not seen this theory in work...yet.  However, someday I make walk down the street and whistle a tune and see if any parents start screaming at their kids to stop. ;)

I tried to get pics that would not be considered indecent, since from the front you can see everything. 

This little girl is wearing the wealthy version of split crotch pants, the split pants - with diaper. 

This little girl is wearing split pants the original way.  Many Chinese people cut or shave the heads of their children. I guess it is to avoid having to deal with hair-do's on little children, but I have no idea. 

Communist pride during the National Holiday Weekend. The Communist version of 4th of July. 

Now taking orders

In case there was any confusion...

Maobama - "To Serve the People"

And just in case you were worried...there are more....LOTS more. ;)

Pets in the most liberal sense...

In Beijing, a pet is something that is loved enough to feed it and keep it in your home.  While many of the pets here are cherished much the same as the western world, Beijing-ers also keep a variety of other animals as pets...its interesting to see how many of these former animals have moved from cherished delicacies to cherished members of the household. 

While many in NYC Chinatown would think this is dinner,  here in Beijing this is the equivalent of a goldfish won at an Elementary school fair.   Suspected life expectancy once home..2 weeks.  (I think the upside down one in the bottom right hand corner of the bowl displays this quite nicely.)

Turtles of varying sizes,  goldfish,  hermit crabs,  snails,  mice,  hamsters,  weird scorpion-crab type thing....and remember...no AC in this pet store.

If the Chinese are interested in purchasing Chipmunks,  do I have a business proposition for a few former neighbors in the US.   (I will spare you the picture of the red-squirrels in the cage.  It was unintentionally graphic as they were mating JUST as I took the photo....oops)

Today I was having a conversation with a Beijing person who said how frustrating it was to have dog feces on the sidewalk and then honestly asked me how other countries dealt with this disgusting and unhealthy aspect of owning a dog or cat as a pet.  I explained to her the specifics of pet waste fines,  poop-baggies and cleaning up after your pet.  To which she replied.."you pick it up with your hands...really?"  As owning pets is a fairly recent event in China,  the whole "$250 hazardous pet waste fine"  has not yet reached this part of the world.  BUT,  this is also the country where little children have crotchless pants,  and are free to go wherever and whenever they please.  SO...not so sure that will be put in to effect anytime soon. 

Harmonious Beijing

Having recently moved to Beijing, I have noticed that while the country is developing faster than it can sustain, there is a very interesting mix between old and new.  New cars, old ways of driving;  new money, old concept of value;  but most of all new West meets old Middle Kingdom.  The discrepancy is both shocking and beautiful.  Shocking in how quickly things change and how easily the population accepts that change is both possible and inevitable.  Beautiful in watching a culture evolve which still keeps alive so much of what makes it different.

Harmonious Beijing...STUCK in traffic.  (and safe...only when standing still)

Weapons of Mass Seduction.....Too Soon....??? (literal translation: play beauty weapons)

Wheelchair Access Ramp.

T-Shirt from Yaoxiu Market.  Beijing Loves you too. :)