What do you think of when you think of China as a culture and as a political entity? Personally I think of rank upon rank of goose stepping soldiers and of tanks rolling over students in Tiananmen Square. I think of communism and the subjugation of the individual. I think of unwanted children and billions of unhappy de-motivated people
And Canada? Why, we are of course completely harmless and all about peace joy and harmony, and we certainly don’t need to be afraid? We are about freedom of speech and the rights of the individual. And we’re happy damn it!
Why then?
When I arrive in China for my very first visit are all those preconceived notions thrown for a loop?
The first posted sign that greets you in the arrivals hall at the airport expresses a commitment from the immigration authorities to have you processed within a reasonable time frame and on your way. When you step up for your turn you are met by a smiling young person who finishes with you in about 30 seconds! As you pass by the desk you are encouraged to press any one of 4 little buttons expressing your reaction to the way you were treated….actually little smiley or sad faces as reflect your opinion. If there was a gun to be had anywhere it was very well hidden. (And I’m a foreigner visiting their country)
When I arrive at any port of entry into Canada I am met with a person in a uniform, including a bullet proof vest and carrying a gun! Yes!... at every port of entry you don’t get in without facing a gun and a uniform! Toronto Pearson airport in particular goes to great lengths to hire the unhappiest people they can find, and/or they train them to get that way. As opposed to trying to get you processed asap I am sure that the longer the lines get, the slower they choose to work. All of them, even the women officers strut around with a macho swagger just daring you to look at them the wrong way. They must be badly underpaid. :) (And I’m a Canadian citizen returning home)
It’s all a big contradiction to me. What are we trying to protect….or hide? Maybe the fact that we’re not as happy or as superior as we would have the world think?
5 kms treadmill
The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying, "Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses." She's got a baseball bat and yelling, "You want a piece of me?" Robin Williams
Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.”---Ayn Rand
love
peter
I think your second quote is probably quite right, and I would suggest that you "don't judge a book by it's cover". This is in regards to both the Chinese immigration people, and the Canadians as well. I am pretty sure the guns in China are all well hidden, but they are still there, and if they are there, I would just as well like to be able to see them. One of the differences is probably that the guns are to control those very immigration people as opposed to you the visitor??
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