04.14.08
No Smoking (except for here, there and, um, everywhere)
When I first heard about the smoking ban in Beijing, I thought “Wow, fantastic. Beijing finally joins New York, London, Dublin, L.A. and Chicago.” They’re leaving the French behind as the last bunch of a-holes insisting on the right to smoke in people’s faces. Finally, I can go into a restaurant and not have to slurp down a pack of charcoal-filtered Honghe’s while eating my Xinjiang-style duan mian. And then I read this nugget.
Basically, restuarants (and, I’m sure, coffee shops and any other place that serves food) are exempt from the rule. “It’s just part of the culture” informs certified genius Zhang Peili, one of the Beijing municipal government officials involved in rolling out the rule. So is spitting. So is littering. So is getting loaded on erguotou at lunch. That is why the government bans these things. So that they are not part of the culture.
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SHTig said,
April 15, 2008 at 18:22
who taught you the word “nugget”? Oh, that would be me.
China produces 20-30% of the world’s cigarettes. It’s a major business, source of employment, and tax revenue. It’s doubtful that China will get serious about banning smoking in any real way anytime in the near future.
However, dear readers, a great business idea for you would be to set up a no-smoking cafe or restaurant. You’ll get a lot of patrons who appreciate the clean air. For bonus points, put in an air filtration system or provide canned oxygen.
Mul said,
April 15, 2008 at 21:23
You’re taking credit for nugget? How can you take credit for nugget?