New Chinese-American Ambassador for America to China causes Storm in a Coffee Cup

[Papewaio]

Title should read:
New Chinese-American Ambassodor for American to China causes Storm in a Coffee Cup

Common touch rattles China

BEIJING: The word on the street, whether in Washington or Beijing, is that the United States is on the decline and China is on the ascent. But it has taken nothing more than a cup of coffee and a backpack to show that US officials can still evoke awe, respect and envy among Chinese, even if unwittingly.

A photograph taken on Friday of the new US ambassador to China, Gary Locke, buying coffee with his six-year-old daughter and carrying a black backpack at a Starbucks in Seattle Airport, has gone viral on the internet in China.

The seemingly banal scene has bewildered and disarmed Chinese because they are used to seeing their own officials indulge in privileged lives often propped up by graft, bribery and lavish expense accounts.

Awesome to see that Starbucks is still selling coffee...

And and even more so to see people doing normal things stirring up such interest. It's a case of culture shock in reverse (normally its the tourist, not the host).

I like it when people just be themselves and by doing show, lead by example that there are better ways.

[Major Robert Dump]

Wow. Wait til they get a load of me sleeping on the sidewalk on vacation in January. Well, I guess I'm not a celebrity there. Yet.

I actually have a really funny Chinese novelty cap that I am trying to get designed and manufactured, but I can't talk about it here because someone would take the idea. I would love to wear one of those there, it would help my internet sales.

[rory_20_uk]

They'll be much happier to hear that Rumsfeld is going to court for illegally locking up Americans to get them out of the way, and the wranglings going through the courts to say he's immune from prosecution.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Wait, you mean there's rich communists?

[Papewaio]

No they're not rich, they are meerly holding back the evils of capitalism by acclimatising themselves to the cultural shock of an enriched environment.

[Ronin]

kill le bourgeoisie

[drone]

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, I saw this in the Post a few days back. Nice car!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...KMJ_story.html

Awesome to see that Starbucks is still selling coffee....

I'm waiting for them to go the MTv route and start doing reality shows.

[Adrian II]

And and even more so to see people doing normal things stirring up such interest. It's a case of culture shock in reverse (normally its the tourist, not the host).

The Chinese middle class is always rising, rising, rising..

AII

[aimlesswanderer]

No they're not rich, they are meerly holding back the evils of capitalism by acclimatising themselves to the cultural shock of an enriched environment.

They are helping their less well off fellows, as those with lots of money have extremely difficult lives. They are saving the vast majority the pain and suffering of making difficult choices such as which shiny sports car to buy!

Despite being theoretically Communist, the CCP's officials at all levels act startlingly like the bureaucrats, nobility and royalty of Imperial Dynasties. So the sight of the ambassador of a rich, powerful country buying his own coffee, and not having a small army of lackeys is shocking - leading to comments as to why CCP officials need so many umbrella holders and such.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Title should read:
New Chinese-American Ambassodor for American to China causes Storm in a Coffee Cup

Common touch rattles China



Awesome to see that Starbucks is still selling coffee...

And and even more so to see people doing normal things stirring up such interest. It's a case of culture shock in reverse (normally its the tourist, not the host).

I like it when people just be themselves and by doing show, lead by example that there are better ways.

Very interesting, thanks for that.

American soft power at work then? Although an essential component seems to be that the ambassador is a Chinese-American, instead of 'any other kind of' American.



Louis - why won't they just make me ambassador instead? Oh, and someplace warm and sunny please.

[aimlesswanderer]

Very interesting, thanks for that.

American soft power at work then? Although an essential component seems to be that the ambassador is a Chinese-American, instead of 'any other kind of' American.



Louis - why won't they just make me ambassador instead? Oh, and someplace warm and sunny please.

There is much interest, in that his ancestors migrated from China years ago like millions of others, including some of my ancestors.

But it's more than that. When President Obama got out of the plane in China holding his own umbrella there was similar interest, as there was when VP Biden ate at a small local restaurant recently. It's quite unthinkable that one of the senior CCP guys would do something normal like hold his own umbrella. The head/mayors of small towns in China reportedly have umbrella carrying lackeys!

[Louis VI the Fat]

There is much interest, in that his ancestors migrated from China years ago like millions of others, including some of my ancestors.

But it's more than that. When President Obama got out of the plane in China holding his own umbrella there was similar interest, as there was when VP Biden ate at a small local restaurant recently. It's quite unthinkable that one of the senior CCP guys would do something normal like hold his own umbrella. The head/mayors of small towns in China reportedly have umbrella carrying lackeys!

Ha! The waning power teaching the parvenu what cultural refinement is about. Athens to Rome, the Ancients to Europe, Europe to America, America to China. The parvenu aspires to the greatness and refinement of his elder.



Louis - but does this mean I can no longer scoff at the uncouth Yanks for lacking sophistication and cultural refinement?