People of Beijing told what not to wear

Published on Thursday 31 July 2008 19:33

THE Little Red Book, the sayings of Chairman Mao, has been replaced by a little red booklet that instructs Beijing's residents how to act and dress ahead of next week's Olympics.

Don't mix more than three colours

Do shake hands for three seconds only

Don't wear your pyjamas in public

Citizens are ordered not to dress in more than three colours, wear white socks with black shoes or parade in pyjamas, in the dos and don'ts of Olympic etiquette.

Like a totalitarian version of Trinny and Susannah, Zheng Mojie, deputy director of the Office of Capital Spiritual Civilisation Construction Commission, has penned a booklet posted to four million Beijing households stating acceptable standards of dress and behaviour.

On the black list is handshakes that last longer than three seconds, quizzing visitors about religion or politics and spitting, a popular habit which was banned in the city in 2006.

The etiquette booklet is part of a slew of admonitions on manners, said Ms Mojie: "The level of civility of the whole city has improved and a sound cultural and social environment has been assured for the success of the Beijing Olympic Games."

There should be no more than three colour groups in your clothing, the committee advises, and wearing pyjamas to visit neighbours, as some elderly Beijing residents like to do, is also out.

It recommends dark socks, and says white socks should never be worn with black leather shoes. In the last few years the government prepared people for the Olympics with the slogan: "I participate, I contribute, I enjoy."

Measures such as the ban on spitting in the capital city and the introduction of a day to show more patience in lines – on the 11th of each month – have paid off, Ms Mojie said. Campaigns involving nearly a million volunteers have been launched to give etiquette tips at schools, universities and government offices.

Ms Mojie said: "Such campaigns and educational activities are now improving the lives of Beijingers. Now you'll find more smiling faces and people are more elegantly dressed."

She said people have formed a habit of queuing and at more than 1,000 bus stops people are forming orderly lines. "This has already become a habit for the Beijing citizens," she said.

The booklet also advises there should be no public displays of affection and feet should be slightly apart or in a V or Y shape when standing. It also says resident should not ask foreigners their age, marital status, income, past experience, address, personal life, religious belief or political belief.

Another book, published in April, details how to be a good fan when watching Olympic competitions, saying spectators should cheer all teams, and accept that a victory or loss is temporary whereas the impression of the culture inside a sports venue lasts forever.