A few Kunming signs

I've always wondered why many Chinese tourists simply ignore any Chinese signs telling them not to touch the works of art or monuments.

I've always wondered why many Chinese tourists simply ignore any Chinese signs telling them not to touch the works of art or monuments.

In this case he was posing for a photo thumping one of the bells. (It was in the Xi'an Bell Tower.)

I think it's an attitude of "well, what harm will one little touch do?". And, the answer is probably "not much". The problem is, of course, when everyone says that, then thousands of little touches will harm it.

However, for any one person's case, it really is just "one little touch".

On the plus side, during my recent visit to Greece, I was stunned to note that pretty much everyone (even the Chinese tourists ;)) turned off the flash on their camera at all the museums that said "no flash".

Oh you went to Greece! (Yes you had mentioned it.) Did you end up spending more time on Santorini?

Yes, we ended up just seeing Athens and Santorini, and skipping all the other islands. 3 days in Athens, 4.5 days in Santorini, I think it was the right decision for us. Some day, I hope we can return and see some of the more remote Cyclades Island, but with a 3-year-old that would not work out well.

[sorry abcdefg, are we a bit off-topic? :o]

Sorry abcdefg, are we a bit off-topic?

That's OK. 没问题。

I've always wondered why many Chinese tourists simply ignore any Chinese signs telling them not to touch the works of art or monuments.

I myself just like being naughty. But I know in which situations I shouldn't do such things. As for other Chinese, I guess some might be just like me, most might be ignorant of what their touches will do to these relics and arts. Or maybe it's because of the conformity?

I have blogged more than once about Chinese tourists touching things that they shouldn't have. But in all honesty I have seen other non-Chinese tourists do the same thing (though not as common as Chinese people).

I remember that one morning, when I was at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London watching a free open-air Yann Arthus-Bertrand exhibition, a father said to his toddling son "touche pas" in a stern tone. (It's surprising how I remember the details of such an unimportant thing.) I think sometimes the smallest things we do reflect accurately how we have been brought up. And one of the worst insults I can think of is 沒家教.

On the plus side, during my recent visit to Greece, I was stunned to note that pretty much everyone (even the Chinese tourists ;)) turned off the flash on their camera at all the museums that said "no flash".

Which reminds me of this photo I took in Tunisia -> http://www.signese.com/2008/02/11/%e7%a6%81%e6%ad%a2%e7%94%a8%e9%96%83%e5%85%89%e7%87%88%ef%bc%81/

Ha, I guess they originally weren't expecting many visitors from the Far East when they made that sign.