~I’ve always been kind of into trendy things. Not necessarily fashion, but just things that are cool before they become too mainstream. I’m like an annoying hipster that way.
I remember when I was young I read all about this magical device that was like having your very own virtual pet in your pocket. I saved my money, went to Chinatown and bought one for $50! Since it didn’t have any English instructions my grandmother took me to the dim sum place and had the waitress translate it all for me. Six months later, Tamagotchi started to sell at Toys’R’Us for $12.99. But that’s okay; not only did I have mine sooner - mine was more authentic.
It quickly drove me nuts and I virtually starved it to death till it “died”.
I also killed off my Furby.
Most trends died for me when the trend itself was in full swing. The only exception to that was the Japanese nail art trend that I picked up on a 2007 trip to Japan and have been doing it ever since. So when I moved here one of the things I was excited about was the prospect of picking up the latest and greatest fad - cause let’s admit it: some of the craziest things come out of Asia!
One of the first things I noticed at Century Park on weekends was whole families dressing the same - SAMESIES! I guess from one perspective it’s cute and functional - I mean, when your kid goes busting out into a giant crowd of people and they’re dressed exactly the same as you in a bright pink Hello Kitty outfit, then yea, chances are you’re going to find your kid. But on the other hand there are couples that dress the same down to the socks and shoes. Sweetheart clothes. I asked Ben if he would be willing to do that for us and he said “as long as it’s all NY Giants and jeans I’ll consider it.”
Unfortunately, I won’t. I only wear a football jersey when I’m forced to on Superbowl Sunday.
Then there are the glasses for cool kids without any lenses in them. I actually wear glasses myself and growing up the last thing I ever wanted to do was actually WEAR my glasses. I would sit at the front of the class staring intently at the board not because I was interested at all in the lesson but because I wouldn't wear my glasses and couldn't see a thing! The day I got contacts was one of the best days of my life! So I’ll never understand or get on board with false glasses - especially those without any lenses in them! I mean, at least put some effort into making it look like you’re a glasses wearer if that’s what you’re gonna do!
Then there are pajama people. If you’ve walked the streets of Shanghai (especially in Yuyuan Gardens) guaranteed you’ve seen a pajama clad person! And it’s not only the elderly; we’re talking middle aged men to kids to their moms. Everyone loves them some flannel pajamas! This is one trend that I could possibly get on board with. I mean - what teen in the 90s didn’t attempt to wear flannel pajama pants with slippers out of the house before their grandmother dragged them back inside and insisted they put on jeans or look like a hobo? No? Just me then…
While waiting for a lunch date with some friends near Tianzifang I spotted the latest in Chinese trends. Many people were walking by going about their business completely ignoring the fact that they had sprouts or flowers of some kind growing out of their hair. The first one I saw was a little girl about 7 and I thought: oh cute! Then I saw a grown man…and his friend…just hanging out wechatting, sprouts and all.
So I’m jumping on the bandwagon now while it’s still early. That’s what you have to do to be a true trendsetter after all!
I mean, I have no idea where the trend came from or what it’s even about but I’m going to assume it’s all about global warming awareness and protesting deforestation of the rainforest.
Or, how our minds are the seeds to sprout new ideas to change the world? Oh, I like that one.
So when I wear my sprout it’s not me thats weird its YOU who doesn’t want to be the change in the world.
It’s time everyone.
Sprout up.
xoNiki
