A few day ago, I was chatting with my mom on the phone. In the mid of normal lecturing, my mother asked me," Do you still remember little Dr. Tang?"
"Of course, how could I forget about her? What happens to her? “I answered my mom's question with a worried follow-up question. Nowadays, we heard so many tragic stories about young and middle aged people dying unexpectedly all the time in China.
"She is alright,and she wondered if you have any suggestions for son's major when going to America this fall, her son does not like to study engineering or medicine or law "
"He can try to study fashion design." without thinking, I slipped my tongue.
"Be serious, he is a 16 years old young boy." My mom made her complaint.
"Mom, I am serious.A successful fashion designer can have almost everything- fame, fortune, and lots of other good stuffs" I stopped short to mention other great benefits.,"Please just tell her what I recommended, and let her son to make the decision." I rebutted with a plea to my mom.
I do remember little Dr. Tang very well. In 80s, one of favorable sports that my mom enjoyed was that she would , at her day off ,dressed me up and bring me to her hospital.When other doctors, male and females, praised me with "ohs"and 'ahs", my mom's beautiful face would light up with radiance and contents as if she won a "trophy".
Comparing with other seasoned doctors in the maternity ward, Dr. Tang was a young graduate just freshened out from Shanghai First Medical College. She was a pretty but shy lady. While other doctors were busy to"abuse" me by pinching my cheeks or other body parts or attempting me with candies or other snacks with some preset conditions, she just stood next to my mom and smiled, and was ready to rescue me, from those "craze old ladies" who time to time would bite me without any justifications, by offering to buy me my favorite snakes - 娃娃头雪糕 or chocolate-flavored candy which shaped like golden coins.
If she happened to buy herself own snacks at the stores, she would let me take a bite and then ask me how I thought about it as if my opinion would matter to her. Before she returned me to my mom, she would gave me a tight hug and kissed me on my face. The strange thing I remember was that her face would turn red without an apparent reason. But, as a little boy surrounded by a group of "Giants" in white gowns in those "career days" in hospital, I liked little Dr.Tang's humane treatment, and her sweet and soft"bribery".
Through my mom, I know Dr. Tang was promoted to a high position in the hospital and married quite late.Now, I can't believe that now Dr.Tang's son is ready for the college, and she is willing to listen to the little boy whom she held, many years ago, his little hands, walking on the tree-covered path of the hospital and sharing snacks. The scary thing is that my detailed memories are still fresh as if it were yesterday.
I double that Dr. Tang would take my advice seriously to permit her only son to study fashion design as a way to make a living even I think if she is willing to give it a try, she and her son may thank me for my suggestion years later.
Chinese parents are very special "breeds" on the earth. On one hand, they could be very protective and willing to scarify themselves; on the other hand, they are eager to push their kids into the system of formal education early without mercy. It's no surprise the some zealous Chinese parents would begin to teach their kids as early as their kids are still in deciduous teeth.If it's possible, Chinese parents would prefer their kids to skip grades and get into the famous Name Brand University. Furthermore, they would often use their influences to advise their kids to choose college majors that have the potential to be professors, doctors, attorneys, investment bankers,engineers ...In other words, they'd want their children to make them to be respectful, noble and prestige as they were advised by their parents years ago.
I think that there is nothing wrong by Chinese parents’ assumption, in which a time-tested and reputable careers such as professors, doctors, attorneys, investment bankers and engineers may bring stable financial foundation, let alone to find a marriage suitor easier. Nevertheless, they forget one thing - the world has become much flatter now than ever before, globalization has modified the social and economic landscapes to a degree that almost any career, even the ones that were shunned away by our parents now are becoming very prestige and profitable. For instance, fashion designer would be one.
Here is a thing, if I could turn back clock, let's say 15 years, I might want to study fashion design. Yes,I may make less money but at the same time, I will have less stress and more fun, plus tons of benefits that men could not get in other occupations.
Speaking of benefits as fashion designers, it's definitely worth of consideration from a man's point of view.Let me use some simple words to paint a picture for people would think I am crazy, otherwise.
If a guy is a successful fashion designer, he would be highly admired across all walks of life; in particular, hundreds and thousands ladies/fans around the globe, from celebrities such as the first lady and Hollywood movie stars to ordinary people.(Unlike us, the streeters, often are given no credits whatsoever even we worked more than 12 hrs per day and still are called nasty names from congressmen to average Joes), then there are glamour, lime-light, travel-around-the-world, party-til-death, oh yeah, the huge pile of money which soon follows if the name brand takes off. Do I mention anther huge unique perk - working with these stunningly beautiful young female models descended from every corner of the planet all the time.
I am not sure how many of you ever went to the back stages of the major fashion shows, I am lucky enough to visit her few times when she was working. I am telling you guys, the views were just marvelous. She "instructed" me before I went. "Just keep eye contact with the girls and keep smiling." That is easy for her to say, when I standing next to these practically naked and beautiful girls in such close distance, I was the first one to be embarrassed, not to mention I have to deal with my male body function.However, supposing you are a male fashion designer, you might get used to it. :))
Are there any objections? If you are men, I think that I could just make my convincing case to you.
Note:
1)Put one video clip of Shiatzy Chen's work from Paris Fashion Week of last week. I kind of like her work which leverages many traditional Chinese culture and heritage. Last year, I bought a couple of her designed piece for my mom's birthday, my mom like them because they are so wearable.
People often mistaken the west for fashion inspirations, but the fact is that even the country like France, fashion became popular since 1670s, yet the Chinese stylish fashion trend might start around 600s in Tang Dynasty. Go figure!
