Published by Swiss James on 02 Jul 2007
When I lived in Korea, most of the locals would cope with the rising heat and humidity of summer by going into shopping malls and buying shirts with slogans like:
“Express yourself in the feeling! Power-play tooth quest!”
The average Shanghainese however, faces the problem head-on, and falls asleep. Whether it’s a taxi driver with his seat reclined and feet out of the window by the side of a major road, a commuter holding onto her strap on the packed subway, or the dangerous driver of a 20 tonne truck full of pigs, the Chinese people can catch ZZZs pretty much anywhere.
I haven’t watched the Olympics for, ooh, it must be at least 3 years, but if competitive napping is on the program for Beijing 2008 then I expect China to sweep the board- place your bets now before the rush.
But what to wear in the summer? Most of the fellas around my way tend to go for the bare chest and shorts look (FYI going to the gym hasn’t really taken off in Shanghai) but those that do cover up, go for pyjamas.
When I say “pyjamas” I’m not having a dig at the traditional Chinese silken outfit, I’m talking about genuine over-sized-buttons, flanellete, big-lapelles, pictures-of-teddy-bears-wearing-nightgowns, the full bit. What is bizarre though, is that I’ve never seen someone wearing pyjamas whilst having a nap. A shiny new donkey for anyone who can send me a photo of that.