the little emporer that couldn't

I wish I had a visual for this one but unfortunately I do not. Words will have to do the trick. Our trip to Sanya coincided with the week leading up to the Chinese New Year. The biggest and most important holiday in China where many Chinese save up all of their vacation days throughout the whole year just so that they can use them at this time of year to be with their families. Family in China is very important. From what I have observed so far, it is THE most important part of this culture. It is actually quite touching. But on a more or maybe less (we will see how this turns out) serious note, as you are all aware, Chinese people are only allowed to have one child. With countless hours on the beach, countless people and families to observe, some side effects of this law began to emerge.

Let's begin to talk about the Little Emporer Complex. The complex begins on the beach in Sanya with a boy named Winner. Winner is a boy of about 10 years old. He wears a striped t-shirt that is stretched tightly over his body that reads Winner across the chest. Winner's entourage puts Vinny Chase's to shame.

For an entire day on the beach, Talia and I observed the activities and rituals of Winner and his Entourage.

Phase 1. Buy a box. Phase 2. Cut a hole in it. ....just kidding.
but seriously.

We first noticed Winner being lifted up by his armpits by his mother, hanging there like a dead fish (and Winner is by no means a small 10 year old), his father struggled to remove his pants. And the grandparents stood around to watch.
Then it was time to go for a swim. Winner's Father escorted him to the water, and stood behind him as though trying to force him in. Winner wouldn't budge. He stood there planted for what seemed like hours. Entourage by his side as he refused to go in the water.
Time to leave the beach. Walk Winner away from the water's edge. He had not budged the whole time. Mother holds him in the air. Winner dangles. Father puts on his pants.Mother puts him down. Father picks him up. Winner dangles. Mother positions Winner's flip flops beneath his feet. Father lowers Winner into his flip flops. Winner takes 2 steps. Winner's feet are sandy. Father lifts up Winner. He dangles. Mother removes flip flops. Mother rinses flip flops off in the ocean to wash off sand. Father lifts Winner up. He dangles. Mother positions Winner's flip flops beneath his feet. Father lowers winner into his flip flops. Winner takes 2 steps. Winner's feet are sandy. Father lifts up Winner. Repeat until off the beach. Entourage surveilles ritual.