Cloudy in Beijing Blogging about my time in China

Christmas and turtles

Looking at this picture made me think I was in America for just a moment. But no, I was just at a Wal-Mart in Beijing. While shopping there today, I came across this newly displayed Christmas section at the store.

There will be no doubt more sightings of Elves and  Christmas trees in the coming weeks. Many businesses in China often will put up Christmas decorations.

One article, written last year, had a business manager in Beijing saying that Christmas is one of the peak seasons for sales. "Young people identify with Christmas culture," he said. "And young people are the main force that drives Christmas sales. They usually buy clothes or jewelry as Christmas gifts."

I don't really get the sense that a lot of people in China celebrate the holiday. But I myself am surprised that Christmas has such a visible presence here, since it only started hitting the mainstream maybe five-ten years ago. (There is, however, usually no day-off on Dec. 25th.) The holiday has even generated a bit of controversy, with people wondering if these more Western holidays are replacing traditional Chinese holidays in popularity.

Perhaps we all must succumb to the Christmas spirit at some point (I couldn't resist and had to buy a cartoon reindeer today).  But I suppose this all due to globalization. From Wal-Mart to Santa Claus, American culture sometimes just feel right next door.

Wal-Mart was  also selling turtles today. I didn't know this, but eating soft-shelled turtles is somewhat popular in China; they can make a good soup from what I've read.

An older couple ordered a turtle to go as I stood next to the booth. A woman working at the stand then slaughtered one right before my eyes.  Now the turtle's rather violent demise is still stuck in my head. I can only wonder if one day Wal-Marts in America will be serving up turtle meat. Probably not.