Just saw this video while browsing Sinosplice John’s blog. Haha… Like John says, it’s “a parallel harmonious universe.” People are not so friendly in China. Maybe in America (sometimes), but definitely not China.
China is a dog eat dog world where you have to keep you eyes peeled at all times for pickpockets, con artists, line cutters and bad drivers. You cannot depend on the help of strangers. Sure there are isolated incidents of exceptional kindness, but for the most part, you fend for yourself. That’s why it’s so exciting here!
The government has been trying to change things for the better (or at least China’s image) by promoting social harmony, but oftentimes they take it too far. For people in China, the term “harmony” (héxié, 和谐) has become a verb to mean things like “covered up” or “unjustly resolved.” Anything that disrupts social harmony can be “harmonized.”
Examples:
- The reporter who uncovered this scandal has been harmonized.
- This online discussion about abusive chénggŭan has been harmonized.
- People who talk to foreign media about Beijing’s pollution have been harmonized.
- Any website that hosts Edison Chen’s naughty photos will be harmonized.
- Daniel Kwan might get harmonized for talking about getting harmonized.
Like I said, it’s exciting here!
All movie theaters in Shanghai are half price on Tuesdays, so I went and watched 
