Not so small brother

We often chuckle about the amount of public service announcements here, as they seem to show the kind of problems common in Hong Kong - as well as the typical ones about speeding and drugs there are commercials exhorting people to use proper precautions when working in confined spaces, get flu shots, maintain windows, think before buying pets and even to respect and love their families more.

These advertisements on not just on TV. The MTR (subway) system is full of posters about keeping fit, helping the elderly and more. As I was walking into the subway last night, I suddenly felt I was in 1984... Imagine the scene: crowds of commuters, children, old people and helpers all trooping stolidly towards the ticket gates, over which hangs a large dot matrix sign, alternating between Chinese and English and reading in bright letters: "Stay healthy! Eat sensibly and take regular exercise!")

(Oh yes, one more thing - I hate to say this, cos it sounds too typically ex-patty - but it's around 22C and we're freezing here today. And the air-con is still going full-blast in all the shops. I don't know we used to survive in Hokkaido!)