Announcements over loudspeakers

I'm back and forgot about this aspect of life...one of my least favorite aspects of life here in Hong Kong. Yet it is a very integral part of life here in Hong Kong that I think people might want to know about back in the U.S.-- there is no such thing as a quiet day at the beach, a silent swim at the pool, or even a day on a school playground WITHOUT a loudspeaker constantly going. The announcements are made on the ferry, on the train, and in nearly every public place you may step. The announcements are not confined to an auditory assault, but also are visually present in the form of signs announcing everything from instructions about warming up before swimming, to not peeing in the pool, to how to wash your slippers before stepping in the pool shower, no playing music on the beach etc...

I can only compare this to having FOX News channel blaring in your ears continuously, or a kind of rolling announcement of a natural disaster running across your screen.

I'm not sure what can be done about this type of invasive noise. What's interesting is that members of the society are trained to think that this is normal from a very young age. There are blaring instructions made over a loudspeaker, even in Keohi's one room schoolhouse on days where there are parties or other events.

Today's non-peaceful swim reminded me of going to a movie in Seoul in 1977, the national anthem coming on and the entire movie theatre standing up when the flag came on.

Indoctrination. The imposition of rules. I know it happens in every society. And maybe, given the influx of people, it is somewhat necessary (what would happen if they stopped the DO NOT POOP IN PUBLIC POOL stuff? Horrors....) But there's no subtlety about public instruction here in Hong Kong.

But I think that a constant barrage of noise and signage telling you to do this or that has got to affect the psyche of people. If you are constantly commanded what is the result? Obedience? Or do you just ignore it all?