China roars

  A din crossing the oceans from mainland China on Asian winds as millions of Chinese workers drink the national beverage, and in unison, laugh at Americans and Europeans during the month of December; a ritual that coincides with the invention of the ’mini-Christmas-light string’ and the construction of massive assembly plants across China used to enslave their own people assembling these same Christmas light strings for sale in the United States and Europe.  A grand celebration, created not so much for the creation and fulfillment of thousands of paying jobs in a suffering society, but more of an opportunity for the millions of loyal Chinese workers to pay homage to an individual depicted on a huge banner hanging on many assembly room walls of ‘the worker’ who ‘coined’ the phrase “If one bulb burns out, the rest stay lit!”.  This worker subsequently gained his freedom to live in the countryside with the family he had not seen since his 13 year detention. This same famous phrase is posted on every package of multi-colored Christmas bulbs exported out of China .  The ritualistic laughter actually stems from the disbelief that Europeans and Americans believed the statement on the packaging, “If one bulb burns out, the rest stay lit!”  The phrase was an unfortunate attempt by the Chinese to gain favor with Americans and Europeans!  Later condemned as the rancid attempt at American humor it was; and as such, millions of Americans and Europeans reacted with the usual, splendid and snobbish display of candor they were known for; they paid twice the normal price for these ‘keepsake’ strings of lights in an attempt to feign ignorance of the perception of gullibility for which was obvious to the rest of the world.   It was at this time in history a legend was born, the Christmas Fools legend.   These special historical events were recorded in writings of Chinese lore and mysticism.  The actions of the Americans and Europeans was received by the Chinese as an obvious attempt at ridicule; therefore, Chinese being the sensitive people they are, simply are replying ‘in kind’ with loud, contemptuous laughter during the month of December.  Passed from generation to generation and depending on the province, the “Celebration of Laughter” or “Celebration of Lights” or “Christmas Celebration of Fools” will always hold a dear and sacred place in the Chinese working mans hearts and souls as a moment of equality amongst races. This precious moment in Chinese, American, and European détente must forever be celebrated; hence, the very loud roar of laughter from across the seas, will always be a constant reminder how much the Chinese love Americans and Europeans and their collective ability to remain examples of what is good in the world. Don't all peoples like a good joke? Haven't all peoples cried?  On the other hand, because of the actions of a few gullible forefathers and a pinch of snobbery and arrogance, Americans and Europeans are forever bound to continue the absurd practice of paying twice the normal price for inferior strings of Christmas lights which, as we well know, will never stay lighted if one light on the string burns out!  And the Chinese in all their humor, know it.  There you have it, the “China Roar”.

    For lack of a better word, I will call these precious Christmas charms:  “Multi-Colored-Mini-Lights” RJ