I just returned from a trip to Beijing and Hong Kong and wore shots every day. There was no issue. On only 1 or 2 nights when going out did I wear jeans. For those that say everyone wears long pants, remember that the climate in Beijing isn't that hot in the summer (and the smog keeps you out of the direct sun). And Beijing can be fairly cold in the winter, so wearing long pants isn't really that big of a deal most of the year anyway.

However, Hong Kong is tropical and in the summer it is sweltering. Unless you have been there for at least a month and are accustomed to it, you would be crazy to wear long pants if you are going to be outside any length of time. Yeah, the locals all wear long pants, but it is because they are coming and going to work - not to tourist spots.

Besides, if you look at the photos of men with ..... out - most taken at tourist attractions, about half of them are wearing shots.

say what? Maybe it's not hot compared to a red hot poker, but there is no way anyone can convince me Beijing is not hot in the summer.

Until Saturday, I wasn't convinced that it was actually summer (in Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong), but then the heat swept into town, and it is sweltering by anyone's standards... relatively good air quality, though.

I only got back a few days ago from SIN, where it may be less hot but far more humid and thus a different kind of discomfort. At least in SG, airconditioning and cold beverages are de riguer. I dread the now daily fight with Beijing taxi drivers to turn on the damn 空调. Just had a driver who refused to turn on the a/c, complaining that she'd already turned it on all day and that I could just open the window. Then tried to drop me off outside my apt front gate. I made her drive all the way in knowing that the ride falls just short of the 2rmb surcharge. I hate how some drivers bring out the petty side of me.

As for the air quality, a short trip out of China reminds me just how low the standards are for 'good' air in Beijing....

The majority of the country is a steam bath June July August.

Congrats Shimon to making FT's Talkmail. Good promo for the China forum too. ^

Thanks



http://www.flyertalk.com/talkmail/pr...%202012#story3

I'll add my voice to the chorus here - I'm just back from 2 weeks in China and I didn't see any male locals anywhere wearing shorts. A few women were wearing shorter pants but they were quite tasteful and not shorts in the traditional, western sense.

It was pretty toasty in parts of China; BJ for example hit +35C. And everyone was wearing long pants. Except of course for the kids wearing shorts with the slit in the back.