Reader Reference Series (71): Hold Fast to the Bottom Line of Life

Author: Editorial Department of "Reader's Reference Series"
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Before the reform and opening-up, watches were a very important luxury item. They were considered important because every young man had to marry a wife, and watches, bicycles, and sewing machines were collectively known as the "Three Great Happiness Items." However, few young men could afford them with their own means at that time. It wasn't that the young men were particularly lazy, but rather that the then-existing system of collective farming stifled people's productivity, leading to declining output and low income levels.
Youth sent from Shanghai had certain regional advantages. Their families could often send them a precious watch, satisfying their desire for display. As a result, these Shanghai youth would "casually" raise the hand wearing the watch while harvesting rice under the scorching sun, accompanied by a complaint: "It's really hot today." Thus, whether it was the urban "Xiaofang" or the rural "Xiaofang," their attention was drawn.