I know that there are different traditions followed across the world that may seem odd to Americans. I have lived overseas and learned to appreciate the differences that abound, and to enjoy the traditions I’ve grown up with. But there are some things that get my head spinning. One tradition I understand is in China where it is felt that the more mourners that come to a funeral, the more the dead is honored. What I don’t understand is the tradition in the Donghai county to have strippers performing at the funeral. While hundreds can attend, it does seem odd to me. Of course some officials in China have recently felt the same and now require plans to be submitted after a persons death. Not quite preventing the strippers but quite unusual to me. I do wonder how the strippers feel on such an occasion; and as for those watching I have to ask – do they tip? I just can’t imagine it.
In other odd news, while not a tradition a parade in New Zealand recently also caused a fuss. It seems that 25 porn stars had a parade, riding bikes and tanks. Different but what makes it odd is the fact that the women were bare breasted. Of course there were the usual protesters that one would expect at such an event. There were thousands of onlookers, no arrests and a union protest was interrupted. Somehow I don’t think the union protestors were too dismayed. If you were wondering how this happened, in New Zealand it is lawful to be topless. A bit far for spring break, or the religious right, but there you go.
Following this theme of odd bits, if you happen to be about 4 inches taller than average you should feel pretty good now. At least if you are in the U.S. or United Kingdom. It seems that researchers have found that this increase equates to better work conditions and higher pay by about 10%. It brings back of memories of the infamous song Short People [if you are younger than about 33 you will have no idea. The song is banned from being played on public airwaves. But it is very funny]. Still if you aren’t getting clothes custom made don’t feel bad. Mr. Bill Gates is only 5’10 ½”, hardly a giant.
And score 2 for Mr. Stephen Colbert. As long-time readers know I am a fan of Mr. Colbert’s show, and I’m not the only one. 2 terms used on his show, Truthiness and Wikiality have become top buzzwords for television. If you don’t know their meanings yet, check out the show. I think that we may see them catch on and become more common in the near term. Especially truthiness, a real term that Mr. Colbert has modified to properly fit into the theme of his show.
It kind of reminds me of back in junior high school, when a couple of friends and I started to use the term Dis, because it was the prefix meaning not, to see if it would catch on. Yes I claim that 7 kids in 8th grade in the Bronx started a slang that still is in use today.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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