China's Makeover

What do you think of China's image? Of its people's image?

I often find the Chinese rude. Or maybe it's just the people in Shanghai, thinking they are more superior than others. Either way, I often find my self in situations rolling my eyes in disgust at the rude behavior. Sometimes, they aren't rude, it's that they are just mad, like everyone else did something wrong so they need to glare.

This is a country's image though. It's who they are, as of now. Can you change one country's image?

I always wonder if the government is trying to do anything to change China's image for the World Expo. I remember last year, World Expo committee members stood at the end of escalators making sure people stood on the right side of escalators, and leaving the left for people to walk up. Coming back this year, I expected to see that everywhere. However, I didn't. I admit, it is probably better than before, with a few more people following the rules, but usually, it's a just a big rush to onto the escalators, and we just stand 2 by 2.

Smoking. China smokes. It's everywhere. I recently learned today that a new law was created for the World Expo. No more smoking. It's banned, everywhere. This law was supposed to be effective as of May, however, it is clear that it is not be carried out and followed. The reason being? If you catch someone smoking, and then call the police, it'll be too late. The police can't get there fast enough. This was something I thought interesting when I first heard about it today. It seems like another attempt to change China's image, yet it isn't working. Of course, I can't yet confirm whether this is true or not. Because, while it is true it'd be hard to penalize the individuals smoking, surely it wouldn't be hard to prevent smoking in restaurants? Almost all tables in restaurants have ash trays (?). If smoking is officially banned, shouldn't those be gone too? Plus, I'm sure if I called the police to report smoking at a restaurant, there would be plenty of time. Unless of course the police don't care, or if they're out smoking themselves.

Changing one's image is hard. Especially for a country of 1.3 Billion, especially for a city of 20 million. However, change starts step by step, and I look forward to seeing a "nicer" China in the future.