No Pajamas in Shanghai
Normal.dotm 0 0 1 229 1309 NGS 10 2 1607 12.0
0 false
18 pt 18 pt 0 0
false false false
/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
Shanghai’s World Expo is in full swing; since its May 1st
fanfare-filled opening, over five million people have stopped by. Event organizers expect another 65 million people to visit before the expo’s Halloween closing. Curiously, those 70 million won’t likely see pajama-clad Shanghainese about town, as NPR’s Morning Edition
reported last week.
The city has deployed a volunteer police force to chastise those who take their pajamas from bedroom to the boulevard, part of Shanghai’s culture since pajamas were first introduced to the city in the 1970s. City officials fear that public pajama wearing makes the city look backward and its denizens “uncivilized” to visiting foreigners.
Taipei-based American photographer Justin Guariglia, a frequent Traveler contributor, disagrees and contends that pajamas add character to the city. Travel writer John Krich who authored the words that accompany Justin’s pictures in the 2008 book of everyday life, Planet Shanghai, says the “sleepwear phenomenon” is a “direct outgrowth of a lack of personal space in the long tang [li long] neighborhoods.”
Whether public pajama wearing comes out of a blurring of the public and private, Shanghai’s sticky summers, a 100-year throw-back to the Qing dynasty’s loose-fitting clothing styles, or laziness writ large, it’s a quirky piece of Chinese culture. You can see more of Justin’s clever photos of PJ wearers here at Neatorama.
Can’t get enough of Shanghai fashion? Check out a Traveler photo gallery from Gary Krist’s March 2009 feature on shopping in the city, a gallery of Fritz Hoffman’s shots connected to the March 2010 story, “Shanghai Dreams,” in NGM, and yet another dazzling gallery, “Shanghai Style.”
Photos by Justin Guariglia, Planet Shanghai.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains