Did I forget to mention how I feel about the smoking ban in Shanghai?

Because I'm totally stoked about it.  I didn't actually find out until after it came into effect (at the beginning of the month), but I'm so happy that smoking is now banned in most public places (and if people are allowed to smoke, they need to have a dedicated smoking area).  The widespread smoking here has always been a bit of an issue for me (mostly when you're trying to eat and some dickhead at the next table is blowing smoke in your face), although I tried not to complain about it too much because, well, western countries still haven't all come into line about it (apparently you're still allowed to smoke in bars in Wisconsin?).  But, now that there are rules (although who knows how often they will be enforced), I am really happy about it.  I hope it means that next time I go to the hospital, the doctor won't be finishing off a cigarette like he was the first time I had to go.

Other things to be happy about are perfect Sunday eggs at Mesa (thanks for the recommendation, Wo Ai), tasty tea and free wi-fi at Citizen, old school Bon Jovi, and Thai mangos waiting for me when I get home. 

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Posted via email from Banana Undercover

Derelicte: Homeless man in China becomes an Internet fashion icon

A homeless man in Ningbo has drawn international attention as a fashion icon, with articles going out about him in Asian publications as well as The Independent and the fashion section of New York magazine. 

I'm not sure if I would call him 'starkly handsome' or compare him to Takeshi Kaneshiro, but I'm pretty sure I agree with what was said at the bottom of the Independent article:

His identity remains a secret, and social workers in Ningbo say they want to keep it that way. "Homeless people are vulnerable. It is incorrect to use them for entertainment purposes," said one worker at a homeless centre in Ningbo. Brother Sharp is said to appear mentally disturbed when approached on the street.

In China, begging is technically illegal, as the Communist Party-run state provides all a citizen could need. In reality, the rapid development of the Chinese economy in the last 30 years has marginalised many.

The rumours surrounding Brother Sharp's true identity persist. Some say he is a university graduate who lost his mind after his girlfriend left him. Others have blogged about how they sought him out and tried to help him find work or to go back to his family, but that he appeared frightened and cried out without speaking.

The local government in Ningbo said it had a policy of looking after the homeless, and that it would extend the same treatment to Mr Sharp.

So, don't approach him for fashion tips.  Seems logical.  What I think is awful is that people are obviously trying to help him because they think he's cool/good-looking/stylish, etc, but what about the other people in the same situation who are just not quite so well put-together?  It's reminiscent of foreigners picking up stray cats on the street and then not knowing what to do with them.  I think it's better to do something at a higher level (that is, not make one person/animal your pet project, if you'll forgive the pun) - donate some time or money to a reputable charity or government organisation.

Posted via email from Banana Undercover