With the Beijing Olympics round the corner, China has started imparting “smiling lessons” to its populace. Olympic hostesses have been trained to produce one of the most fascinating smiles in the world to seduce millions of spectators. Chopsticks and other little gadgets are clamped between the teeth to power the facial muscles that in turn produce a real “toothy smile” - to make tourists stay on in China even after the spectacle is over.As always, everything, including public behaviour, will be toned and given a uniform shape. So the naturally childlike enthusiasm of the friendly people of China will no doubt get a big boost. It’s not going to be the China of Mao where even the walls had ears and security arrangements prevented the masses from speaking to foreign tourists. China’s busiest thoroughfare is now thronged by Chinese nationals who speak to foreigners with unprecedented ease. Other places like Beijing, the Olympic city, present fascinating sights of the amiable Chinese mingling effortlessly with foreigners. The impending Olympics have made China different indeed. It seems to be regaining its traditional hospitality and concern for visitors to the country. The Tiananmen-scarred “economic miracle” has woken up from a slumber of centuries and now would like to proclaim that it is one of the freest and most prosperous nations in the world. My recent visit to Beijing seemed to confirm all these thoughts. Amidst the glitz and glamour one easily forgets the dark chapters of the Mao era and even bleaker spots like the Tiananmen massacre. The majestic Bird’s Nest stadium, the funky water cube in the Olympic Village, the eye-catching squares and the surrounding avenues will charm visitors and add colour to the event. I am sure that the Beijing extravaganza will be an affair to remember.
