business

Hamleys opens its largest toy store in Beijing amid Christmas debate

9 Comments
By WANG ZHAO

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Its a wholly imported foreign holiday

(100% true of Christmas in the Americas).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Christmas is Cancelled, Comrades!

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It's not a religious holiday we recognize, based on any religious story or myth, and it bares no relation to any national achievement, event or movement of significance to any Western country, such as labor rights, or women's suffrage. No war or military connections either. Its a wholly imported foreign holiday that boosts Chinese culture in the West and we promote it due to our support for diversity and multiculturalism, but if there is no good will or reciprocity by China to allow a Western Christian holiday, why should we continue to officially support it?

What? I've never heard of any 'official support' for Chinese New Year by Japan. Or are you in another country? The US maybe? I don't think there is any 'official support' for Chinese New Year by the US either.

The other thing is, you shifted the goal posts. There is a HUGE gap between banning something and officially recognizing it. You said it should be banned. I asked you why it should be banned, and you didn't give a single point to explain why. You just went on about 'official support', which isn't even really a thing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yes, who exactly is this 'we'? Please don't speak for me, just for yourself.

I find that many posters on 'Japan Today' feel that they are the voice representing their (home) country/culture. They are most often wrong. The worst are those that pretend to be from country X but are obviously from country Y. Sad. As for Christmas - the 'real' or the 'commercial' meaning or both - do what you will. To ban having a choice would be a clear indication of fear. 'Christmasphobia' could join the growing list of all those other phobias out there in the news these days.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yes, who exactly is this 'we'? Please don't speak for me, just for yourself.

I don't like the materialistic excesses of Xmas, but if other people want to throw their money away then it's their prerogative. Likewise, if people want to celebrate the lunar new year (which Koreans and Vietnamese also celebrate), then let them. It's up to you if you want to join in or not. If not, you can go back to Indonesia of the 1980's.

For me, celebrations like Xmas, Chinese new year and Thanksgiving, as I understand, should be about spending quality time with family and friends.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why? For what reason?

Why should we? It's not a religious holiday we recognize, based on any religious story or myth, and it bares no relation to any national achievement, event or movement of significance to any Western country, such as labor rights, or women's suffrage. No war or military connections either. Its a wholly imported foreign holiday that boosts Chinese culture in the West and we promote it due to our support for diversity and multiculturalism, but if there is no good will or reciprocity by China to allow a Western Christian holiday, why should we continue to officially support it? Makes no sense to me.

I question the necessity of government support in terms of funding, time off work, helping with logistics (road closures), which no doubt impact productivity. Like I say, the first step is to withdraw official support. I don't see why tax money should be allocated to support it. We should use our resources to support Western traditions or traditions from other cultures in which there is a sense of good will and the willingness to share our traditions.

... Try, and this might be difficult depending upon one's mental capacity, to separate the Chinese people and culture from the CCP. The CCP is an evil dictatorship that will engage in whatever capricious acts are viewed as necessary to bolster its existence and distract from its evil rule. I don't know what "we" you are speaking for, but in countries such as Japan, the USA, and Canada, people can and will celebrate Chinese New Year, as they should. There was no Christmas in the Americas before the Europeans rolled up... But it is as welcome as Chinese New Year or Hanukah or Tanabata wherever free people celebrate. Get a proper focus on the difference between governments, nationalities, and culture... And before you claim to speak for "the West," remember that you don't.

Never claimed to speak for the entire West, simply pointing out that its not Western holiday in any sense, which is entirely accurate.

And before you claim to speak for "the West," remember that you don't.

Applies to both of us doesn't it.

The CCP is an evil dictatorship that will engage in whatever capricious acts are viewed as necessary to bolster its existence and distract from its evil rule

Well we can send a message, that you reap what you sow and what goes around, comes around.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"we can start banning Chinese holidays"

... Try, and this might be difficult depending upon one's mental capacity, to separate the Chinese people and culture from the CCP. The CCP is an evil dictatorship that will engage in whatever capricious acts are viewed as necessary to bolster its existence and distract from its evil rule. I don't know what "we" you are speaking for, but in countries such as Japan, the USA, and Canada, people can and will celebrate Chinese New Year, as they should. There was no Christmas in the Americas before the Europeans rolled up... But it is as welcome as Chinese New Year or Hanukah or Tanabata wherever free people celebrate. Get a proper focus on the difference between governments, nationalities, and culture... And before you claim to speak for "the West," remember that you don't.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Guess if they want to start banning Christmas, we can start banning Chinese holidays in the West, starting with Chinese New Year.

Why? For what reason?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Guess if they want to start banning Christmas, we can start banning Chinese holidays in the West, starting with Chinese New Year.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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