A Little Superiority Humor

[Augustus Medici]

I recently wrecked my car and had to get it fixed at a body shop, which happened to be run by an Asian husband-wife team. While I was waiting in their lobby, the smell of kimchi was overpowering, so I just assumed they were Koreans. I chatted with the wife, a very nice lady and quite talkative. We somehow turned to the topic of Chinese schools (local groups in Texas that teach kids Chinese in an effort to retain some culture), and she told me that she had sent her kids to Chinese school.

I was a little confused because I just assumed she was Korean. She assured me she was, but she wanted her (Korean) kids to learn Chinese because China is steadily becoming the #1 power in Asia.

And I thought to myself: Wow, what incredible foresight.


<This post is pointless.>

 

[Joffrey]

well China arguably already is the number 1 in Asia. OR slightly behind JApan.

 

[johnapril]

Guys in China are building museums for homes to fit their art collections. One guy has a space like the Guggenheim.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

well China arguably already is the number 1 in Asia. OR slightly behind JApan.

That's in per capita GDP, and in a loose sense, standard of living; which China won't be catching up with Japan anytime soon. In total GDP, China has surpassed Japan in purchasing power parity. China also has more political and military clout in the world.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by johnapril

Guys in China are building museums for homes to fit their art collections. One guy has a space like the Guggenheim.

Or in Jet Li's case, a city block.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/ente...ent/191612.htm

 

[johnapril]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

Or in Jet Li's case, a city block.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/ente...ent/191612.htm

Holy Shiite Muslim!

 

[Englandmj7]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

Or in Jet Li's case, a city block.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/ente...ent/191612.htm

Is it in the U.S. somewhere? It says he has "moved to the U.S." but it also says it is the "#1 Chinese celeb mansion"..........sounds crazy either way.

 

[acidboy]

Chinese schools inour part have had an increasing number of students with no Chinese ancestry. And they all have the same reason as the Korean wife has.

 

[Augustus Medici]

Yes, it seems like any news report regarding China's economy is not complete without shots of numerous nouveau riche mansions. I think all these homes and vast displays of wealth are great per se, but come on, you'd think somebody would develop some class. I much prefer the smaller, tastefully-appointed townhome of Thomas Crowne (modern remake) than the sprawling art museum/estates and Jet Li's bizarre city-block sized mansion connected by tunnels. I didn't even think Jet Li got paid that much as a kung fu star. He's a glorified stuntman, for Christ's sake!

 

[Nantucket Red]

The Chinese I encounter travelling in Japan are extremely uncouth.

 

[Kent Wang]

Ah so.

 

[Nantucket Red]

Either uncouth or covered with vulgar displays of the nouveau riche.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by Nantucket Red

Either uncouth or covered with vulgar displays of the nouveau riche.


there is no culture of "old money" in PRC anymore. if you were couth, you left or were wacked in the cultural revolution. it is going to take a long, long time to create a classy rich culture out of the mainland, unless it becomes more common for diaspora chinese to return, and even that won't have a fast and obvious effect on culture.

 

[Nantucket Red]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

there is no culture of "old money" in PRC anymore. if you were couth, you left or were wacked in the cultural revolution. it is going to take a long, long time to create a classy rich culture out of the mainland, unless it becomes more common for diaspora chinese to return, and even that won't have a fast and obvious effect on culture.

Yes, you're right. But I wouldn't imagine that anyone of, say, LabelKing's breeding would be anxious to go back to rub elbows with today's hoi polloi.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by Nantucket Red

Yes, you're right. But I wouldn't imagine that anyone of, say, LabelKing's breeding would be anxious to go back to rub elbows with today's hoi polloi.


although it may do him some good...


after the fall of the wall, a lot of americans and brits of polish, czech and russian roots went over and did wonders for themselves and the local economy.