NonStick World: Pam Kong's Weblog

The latest in China trying to make Olympic travelers feel more at home involves what Beijing residents should wear (or not wear). 1) No more than 3 colors in one outfit, 2) No pajamas when out visiting neighbors and my favorite, 3) No white socks with black leather shoes.

What started out making sense, Don't spit everywhere, because it's just common sense hygiene, has become ridiculous of late. I thought the whole point of have the Olympics in different countries is for people to visit countries they otherwise would not have. Can you call the experience genuine when exotic menu items are removed or people don't dress like they normally would? I say no.

So, if you are traveling to China for the Olympics, be sure to venture outside Beijing. You can't say you saw China, unless you see China. There are things that make your heart skip a beat, because it is beautiful (view from Northern section of Great Wall) or because it freaks you out (cars going wrong way, toward you, on highway). There are things that make you sad (a lot of poor people) and things that make you smile (Grandpas and Grandmas playing with their grandkids).

I know that the Chinese government wants to show China's best side and I can't help but feel that the experience will be less than Chinese.