Monday, March 12, 2007
The Horrors of Flavorful Coffee, Friendly Service, and a Pleasant Atmosphere…
A Chinese "lawmaker" (indeed, no one loves "making laws" more than a communist party official) wants to have the evil – and very successful – American coffee shop giant, Starbucks, removed from the Forbidden City in Beijing. Certainly a debatable issue and one that can appeal to the romantic anti-modernist in anyone.
After I had returned from Beijing several years ago a Brit expat here responded with similar horror at the news that Starbucks had gained a foothold in the great historical locale of China's past.
I could care less if Starbucks stays or goes in the Forbidden City but I may point out that the dreaded imperialist enterprise in question is very small and unassuming and occupies the same space as a little souvenir shop in the same location. One would have to literally stumble upon it or ask for its location to find it.
It should also be noted that those who so dread the horrors of refreshment (there are other places at The Forbidden City to buy drinks and food as well) seem not to mind the sale of Mao Zedong memorabilia sold everywhere. One can also purchase a display of photos of old heroic generals of the revolution. I actually bought one for comic relief – it's among my history relic collection, along with authentic Little Red Books from the "Cultural Revolution," Soviet Russia military pins, and Nazi Hitler youth belt buckles.
As for contemporary souvenirs, can one even imagine T-shirts and coffee mugs with Adolph Hitler's image being sold at old German landmarks? How about a set of SS engraved tableware when one is reminiscing those good old days of the Reich. Of course that would pale in comparison to the evil concept of a contemporary beverage franchise.
So, …go to Beijing. See the Forbidden City and while there get a T-shirt of the man who killed more human beings, for the sake of ideology, than any in human history. Maybe even get a commemorative Mao Zedong lighter…just don't think of corrupting a holy space with the presence of flavorful coffee or Macadamia Nut cookies…
