Another display and some observations

Today's displays come to you from Causeway Bay.  This is the section of Hong Kong where Dave works and where Hong Kong's Times Square is located.  There is almost always a display out in front of Times Square.  It seems to change monthly.  Today there were a few different displays.  One in the covered, but open air area and three outside.  I truly have no idea what the significance is of the displays.  Perhaps someone can give me some insight after seeing them.  Two of the displays had lines of people waiting to get into the display area to take pictures.  This brings up a couple of points: (1) I do not look like a foolish tourist as I walk around taking pictures because everyone does it.  (2) The Asian people love to take their picture with any display.  It does not matter what age they are.

Here are the displays:

Below are pictures from another display in Causeway Bay.  This one is from Hysan Place (a mall).  There was a display set-up both inside and out.  There was also a store set-up selling all types of smiley face dolls.

Now for my observations.  First, electronics have taken over! I know this is true everywhere.  As I ride the bus or the MTR I notice that everyone has their face stuck in their phone.  Some are playing games, some are reading something, some are watching shows.  I will be the first to admit that I am guilty of reading my emails and checking Facebook while I'm on the MTR.  This is also noticeable walking down the street, although it isn't as prominent out on the street (thankfully!).  I will say, it only takes one person glued to their phone walking down the street to quickly make you annoyed.  They don't walk in a straight line or at a steady pace.  It is a little sad to see and I am trying to put my phone away a lot more.  Because of the phones, I think that we are not as observant of our surroundings as we should be.

Second, obesity is not a problem exclusive to the U.S.  I do believe processed food and electronics are huge contributors to this.  I won't get into that anymore other than to say my belief stems from my observations.

Last observation for today.  This morning I attended a 9th grade parent welcome meeting.  There are a lot of "Tiger Parents" here.  I am amazed by parents' comments every time I attend one of these functions.  Now, there were plenty of comments in the U.S. at similar functions that amazed me, it's just that here those comments are coming from the vast majority of the parents rather than a select few.  Parents who are wanting their kids to prepare for college in 9th grade.  By that I mean chose a college and let that dictate what you do or don't do in high school.  Parents who want to know exactly how much homework their kids should be doing every night.  Parents who are constantly checking on their kids' progress on their homework (even in high school). Parents who want to know how many AP/honors courses and activities their kids need to be in as a 9th grader to get into the best colleges.  My parents never harassed me about my homework or activities.  I was left to take care of it on my own.  Most importantly, I learned how to take care of it on my own.  I take that same approach with my kids.  This is probably why I am amazed at these meetings and why my kids don't particularly care for the "competitive nature" of this school.  That is not to say they don't like the school, just that they don't like how competitive everyone is when it comes to grades, scores and where you are going to college.  I will end by relaying what one of the student ambassadors said in response to some of these questions.  He is a 12th grader and wise beyond his years.  "Don't push your kids to decide where they are going to go to college now.  They won't enjoy their time in high school the way they should if you do that.  Then they will always be looking at how can they achieve the next goal and they will never enjoy the path along the way. It will just be getting from one goal to the next and then they'll die."  The room erupted in laughter at this last comment, but how true it is.