It affects your judgment.

Everyone has been talking about this new club. So last night we went to check it out. Upon arrival, I realized we’d been to this club once before - about three months ago - but it was too packed to play. Last night, we got there early (9pm), but it was already too crowded - no tables available. We decided to look for another place. But before doing that, I needed to use the restroom. As we crossed the toilet threshold, my friend pointed to the sign - “No Japanese allowed”, written in Chinese. And while waiting, I noticed the walls decorated with loads of anti-Japanese posters, signs, pictures of Koizumi, etc. Maybe that is why the place is so popular?

If I had to make a list of things that surprised me when I first arrived in China, toward the top would be the level of hate and obsession Chinese have toward Japanese. We all know, understand, and acknowledge the root of this angst, but I don’t know why Chinese fail to comprehend that when they go on and on and on about the Japanese, it just makes them look weak and insecure. Not to themselves, of course, but to objective outsiders. Not even being able to let go in a place of relaxation and entertainment? It’s kinda pitiful in my view. Moreover, it distracts attention and energy away from the areas where China, Chinese people are strong and (need to be) making tremendous progress.

It sometimes feels as if I’m living in a society full of accountants - viewing the world on a purely historical basis. It’s incessant. Whenever I meet someone for the first time these are the standard ice breakers:

Where are you from?
How long have you been here?
Are you studying or working?
How much do you make?
You know we (Chinese) hate Japanese.

UPDATE: Thought I should provide a translation of the parts of the picture that aren’t in English. It says, “We have more than 10 times your population. No more sushi for you”.