Monday, February 8, 2010
I spend at least five minutes every morning choosing what to wear to class.
Picky? Yes.
On days when I get stuck staring into my closet for 15 minutes, unable to find the perfect ensamble, I miss my uniformed student life from back in Macao.
In Macao, as throughout much of China, students are required to dress in neat and clean uniforms.
In Chinese culture, unlike the preferred individualism in western world, collectivism is embrazed. Uniforms are thought to engage students and construct positive school images.
The Chinese uniform is pretty simple. Girls dress in white with a belt and dark blue ribbon tied below a round collar. Boys wear white T-shirts, with ties in winter months, dark gray long suit pants. White socks with black shoes are standard footwear for both boys and girls.
Girls basically look like angels and guys look like gentlemen.
Naturally, most parents are in favor of uniforms. The uniform essentially plays the role of a chaperone; With uniforms on, students are constantly reminded to behave themselves. A sense of responsibility is attached to the image of the uniform.
Sounds great, right?
I didn't used to think so. When I had to dress in a specific way every day, my uniform represented a boring, old-fashioned image. I felt constrained and too recognizable by others.
My friends and I couldn't wait until after school when we could strip out uniforms and hang out in cozy, casual wear.
Now, I am able to wear whatever pleases me. However, I quickly discovered the good sides of wearing uniform.
Not only do uniforms relieve the stress of picking out an outfit, they also remind me of unique memories.
When I were little, I dreamed to have more freedom to behave as a "little adult". I rebelled, I always wanted more and I wished to break away from the cage and leave the childhood playground.
Now, though, I find myself wishing it was possible to rewind back to more innocent days. I realize that my uniform-adorned school days weren't so bad. I had pure but solid friendship, naive but memorable puppy love and a busy, but joyful, life.
It's ironoic that when I finally received the freedom I once so desperately craved, I now yearn for a little more naïveté and restriction.
However, this can never be. Life must go on.
My uniform, as well as those memories, have to be placed back in my closet. I can't hold every single treasure in my hands, but I know I can place them in my heart forever.
— Ho is a junior from Macau, China, in journalism.
Ho: Expressions of love hit cultural barrier
For Chinese, actions speak louder than words
Editor's note
Five Wardrobe Essentials for Men and Women
Timeless clothing options that can improve your everyday look.
Ho: Why names matter
Different cultures bring different treatments to names.
A Part of Me
The brace I wore to correct scoliosis was uncomfortable and embarrassing, but ...
Dress de(CODE)d
Undressing your wardrobe.
Marx: Freshen your nails like a queen
Queen Nefertiti wore it. Cleopatra wore it. Even modern day Duchess of ...
Ho: Cultural values found in food
Although "cultural" foods may not be authentic, they do reveal a great ...
To hell and back
A fight outside Naismith Hall began Thor Nystrom's year-long journey into the ...
Lytton: Look beyond dress code
Wardrobe should allow individuals to express themselves.
Love outlasts a lifetime
One Jayplay writer remembers her grandpa and his positive influence.
Ho: Embrace accents
Accents reflect a person's cultural identity.
Talk back: The 2008 Olympic Games in ...
What students say vs. what we say.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes
To avoid fashion blunders and help elevate your style, focus on and ...
Campus to Business Casual
How to outfit your closet after college
Dance of life
When Chinese student Vicky Lu found the courage to go to her ...
Ho: Macau is moving into global limelight
Macau, China is a small town with a wonderful atmosphere and plenty ...
Esposito: Stop fashion plagiarism
Design piracy compromises someone's exclusive creation.
Spice up your Halloween by dressing up ...
Tennis star Roger Federer, Rays pitcher David Price, Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin ...
Two professors win Fulbright Scholar Grant
Recipients will use the grants to conduct research in Morocco and China.
That's disgusting
How to keep your feet smelling fresh
High-heeled shoes not needed
After numerous tries, I realized that I can be sophisticated without wearing ...
Local bars get strict with dress codes
Lawrence bars are cracking down on dress codes. Several students have not ...
Letter: Why can’t new uniforms look like ...
Esposito: Put your best shoe forward for ...
Shoes say a lot about a person — make sure yours are ...
CD's bring back fond memories
The music we listen to throughout life creates a timeline of interests ...
Third time's a charm
One Jayplay writer's experience watching her mom find "the one" and another ...
Adams: China should be seen as a ...
Let's Talk Foreign Policy takes a look at negative stereotypes of China.
Student Gala rings in Chinese New Year
Student association organizes a gala to celebrate Chinese New Year at the ...
You are What You Wear... Out
Dress your best for a great night out
High school students will learn Chinese
Rather than picking the typical languages to learn like Spanish and French, ...
Smith: Tykes and suits don’t mesh
Formal wear is fun as an adult, but not as a child.
Dressing With Style
What inspires and influences fashion trends on campus
Boultinghouse: Grandparents reflect on Pearl Harbor
Learning about the attacks from those who lived through them provides a ...
Esposito: Men miss chance for expression
Experiment in business casual menswear.
Doing Without: Underwear
Absence makes the heart grow...?
Editor's note
Accepting yourself for who you are.
Weighed Down
One Jayplay writer spends years trying to cope with body image issues
Chinese New Year celebrations help students feel ...
Many Chinese students are looking forward to celebrating the 15-day holiday.
Cosby: Sudan shouldn't focus on dress code
Sudanese women are forced to abide by a strict dress code.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Ho: Uniforms help keep memories alive
I don't know if I would say that Chinese culture embraces collectivism so much enforcing it. In the absence of a Communist ruling party, would things be the same?
Ho: Uniforms help keep memories alive
*enforces.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID