China is suffering under the weight of a societal malaise. And this time it’s not due to the influence of the Great Western Devil.

In the sweltering heat of summer, when the refreshing breezes desert the city, Hu Lianqun absent-mindedly reaches for a solution: He rolls up his shirt to expose his belly, often fanning himself with the garment to create his own air conditioning.

From the countryside to sophisticated urban centers such as Beijing, men of all ages, social standing and stomach sizes resort to a public display of skin, a hot-weather fashion faux pas that’s the Chinese equivalent of knee-high black socks with shorts.

They’re known as bang ye, or “exposing grandfathers”(despite their age range). In the hottest weather, bang ye seem to be everywhere, striding among the tall buildings in Beijing’s business district, playing chess in parks, holding children’s hands at the zoo and negotiating crowded alleyways.

Woah. Let’s just back up there for a second. People who society has labeled “exposing grandfathers” are free to roam the business district, bide their time with chess in the park, and hold children’s hands at the zoo?

The Chinese obviously haven’t heard of a global problem that we westerners like to popularly refer to as “kiddy fiddling”.

Not even a sophist of the highest calibre could argue that the combination of public places, semi-naked men and impressionable children could ever result in anything but bad news.

But this isn’t the only fashion faux pas du jour (please note: four French words in a row) common on Chinese streets. Apparently it’s not unusual to wonder the streets in you PJs during the summer months.

And I should also mention that China manufactures Crocks(TM). But I think that’s more and indication that there’s a portal to hell somewhere in China.

But you know what they say. The naval-liberating apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Many defend the practice, insisting that history is also on their side: During the Cultural Revolution, when good manners were condemned as bourgeois, it was considered a compliment to be called a dalaocu, or “a rough old guy.”

A-ha. Because every true socialist knows that a shirt-covered pot belly is so very, very bourgeois.

Let’s leave it there, shall we?

[Source : LA Times]