Shanghai Saturdays

We all know that Americans that lived through their quaterlife during the 1980's are refered to as America's Me Generation. Over the weekend I tried to watch a film that explores these people and their time, St. Elmo's Fire. I had computer problems, and decided it would be more beneficial to study anyway so I gave up on the movie.
But all week I've been turning over the idea of the Me Generation in my head.

Every morning as I walk to class I pass Chinese young men and women who have grown up in a completely different environment than what we see as young people in the states. Clearly these kids are different from me, but I don't think now that they are as much different as I expected them to be.

During the late 1890's and 1900's China experienced all sorts of inner turmoil. They went from a fuedal system led by an emporer, to a semi-colonial period. Then a tumultuos period of constant regional conflict erupted; from this turmoil rose a national multi-party democracy. Almost simultaneously, Japan invaded and brutally plunder the people and the country. After that conflict abated, a civil war ensued between the communist and the republic leaders. And all of this was before 1950!

Once the Communist Party established itself as the governing regime of the country, it led the country through attempts to implement many different radical policies; these policies failed more often then not, and usually resulted in the loss of many Chinese lives.

But while our Me Generation was driving Delorean's, investing in junk bonds, watching the Brat Pack and going to Duran Duran concerts, China's economy, political system, and international relations were begining to stabalize. The result is Chinese quarter-lifers are the first generation in over a century to live in relatively stable country, are the first generation of Chinese ever to live most of their lives under atleast some form of a market economy, and are the first generation to live all their lives thinking "To Get Rich is Glorious" (Communist Leader and Reformer Deng Xiaoping).

It seems to me that the kids I walk past everyday going to class are China's version of the Me Generation. Their excesses may not be as extreme (instead of driving deloreans, they ride motorized bicycles, they still study hard instead of partying hard, etc), but their attitude and demeanor show me a focus on self that is much greater than traditional chinese ideas on self obligation.

This leaves me with only one question:

What is with the Me Generation and clothes? Look at the girl in the middle; her outfit, bag, and hair are tamed compared to what I see on most girls. There are hair salons all over this town; it's unreal.

Sorry Tangy, but they don't listen to Duran Duran.