No pajama party at Expo

• Source: Global Times
• [03:30 October 30 2009]
• Comments

Sometimes it is difficult to tell what constitutes pajamas, as some people just look like they're trying to be stylish, Rickelton said.

Lin Jian, a Shanghai-based columnist for Vogue magazine, argued that pajama-wearing in public is a real-life scenario that shouldn't be suppressed.

"This is what distinguishes Shanghai from other cities. It is part of the city's identity. You recognize these icons, and then you feel you're home. You can't say they are not civilized. They aren't naked. Dressing reflects the spirit of the time," Lin said.

But Xu Jue, a local media professional, doesn't like them.

"Wearing pajamas in public doesn't show respect," Xu said. "That tradition for some neither matches the city beat, nor reflects the core of Shanghai."

The government may not be in the position to interfere with people's dressing habits, but under the current circumstances, it'd be better if they had a role in the issue, Xu said.

A 31-year-old company manager in Shanghai, surnamed Zhang, said he was uncomfortable seeing so many people wearing pajamas outside on the streets when he moved to Shanghai six years ago.

Shanghai press officer Yang argued that people in other regions have their improper habits, too. "Some Beijing men prefer to be topless during the summer. That should also be changed," Yang said.

Those half-naked Beijingers, known as bang ye, or naked papa, were rarely seen in the summer before the Olympics, as the city cracked down on such practice to improve the city's image.

Kang Juan and An Baijie contributed to this story