Tai Chi Sword practisioner picking up his things from the Tree
Originally uploaded by clarkalastair

Carrying his sword already, he’s picking up the bag that he brings and hangs on the tree so that it doesn’t lie on the ground. Many people do the same in park, as can be seen by the bags hanging. Seats and benches are other commonly used devices for keeping your necessities, off the dirty Chinese park floor: such as sword carry cases, handbags, tape players for middle aged woman dance groups, water bottles, keys, 80′s arm stretching/muscle training devices, hand muscle trainers etc.

Bags and cases saved from the dirty ground
Originally uploaded by clarkalastair

Come wind, snow, rain or shine the Chinese like to put their possessions somewhere that isn’t the dirty ground. My little bag that I carry my 80′s style muscle trainer, water and skipping rope, quite happily sits on the floor of the park. A difference in culture that struck me a while ago. It is often the case that when I see people sitting on the benches or floor, they’re using a piece of paper or plastic bag to protect their clothes. How these differences in culture can feel strange is surprising.