China’s noisy ‘dancing grannies’ silenced by device that disables speakers
Level: Advanced
1 Warmer
a. Work in groups and collect short answers to these questions on a board or shared screen.
• What type of people and groups have you noticed using your local public park?
• Which kinds of official or unofficial events and gatherings take place there?
• How are people expected to behave there? Are there any rules or regulations about using the park or public space?
2 Key words
a. Write the correct word or phrases from the wordpool next to the definitions below. Then, find and highlight them in the article to read them in context.
T O H AN •P C China’s noisy ‘dancing grannies’ silenced by device that disables speakers Level: Advanced 12. people who have particular attitudes or ways of behaving because of the place or time that they live in, or the experiences they have had
13. true or right in all situations
14. the activity of being with and talking to other people
15. behaving in a very unfriendly or threatening way towards someone
b. Use some of the key words above to complete these sentences.
1. Students are encouraged to tell a teacher about any incidents of
they notice.
2. It takes courage to your fears.
3. The police had to when protesters started throwing stones
and bottles.
4. Unfortunately, these teenagers are typical of the private
T O H AN •P C China’s noisy ‘dancing grannies’ silenced by device that disables speakers Level: Advanced Many people are too scared 8 State media has described the square dancing, to confront the groups of which has its roots in the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, as a “positive and effective way to middle-aged and older women reduce the medical and financial burden as well who take over public parks as increase the life quality of older people”. and sports grounds to exercise 9 “Many participants are retired, their children are along to music no longer around. Square dancing becomes a Chi Hui Lin and Helen Davidson place for them to have a social life.” in Taipei 10 But neighbours complain it has gotten out of Fri 8 Oct 2021 control, with competing groups blasting their music over each other in small areas, and 1 Across China’s public parks and squares, in bullying those who try to intervene. Viral videos the early hours of the morning or late in the and reports have shown the groups arguing afternoon, the grannies gather. and fighting with basketball players to take over their court, or, in one case, breaking into 2 The gangs, made up mostly of middle-aged a football field and stopping the game to dance and older women who went through the in the space, prompting a police response Cultural Revolution, take to a corner of a local and arrests. park or sporting ground and dance in unison to Chinese music. Loud music. 11 In 2019, Tianjin City added new regulations on the promotion of civilized behaviors, allowing 3 The tradition has led to alarming standoffs, police to fine the dancing grannies up to 500 with the blaring music frequently blamed for yuan (£56) if their music is too loud in public. disturbing the peace in often high-density 12 Some disputes have escalated to violence. residential areas. But many are too scared to In Shijiazhuang, neighbours fight back at the confront the women. grannies by spreading stinky tofu, paint, and 4 The dilemma of the dancing grannies has engine oil while they are dancing. One media prompted some to seek out tech solutions. report described a high rise resident throwing One went viral online this week: a remote human faeces out the window at them. stun gun-style device that claims to be able to 13 “Most of them are the products of the Red disable a speaker from 50 metres away. Guard* era, they don’t respect society or the 5 Reviews of the item were positive. “Downstairs environment,” said a young Chinese resident of Guiyang, who did not want to be named. is finally quiet. For two days the grannies thought their speaker is not working!”, said one 14 “Square dancing is a problem left over from on Taobao, China’s version of eBay. history. Many elderly people feel that the whole China is built by their generation. They 6 “Great invention, with this tool I will be the boss have the absolute voice and status. We young in the neighbourhood now,” said another. “This people have done nothing, and of course are is not just a regular product, it is social justice!” not qualified to question them.” 7 China is home to an estimated 100 million 15 The stun gun and other devices for sale online dancing grannies. Square dancing allows are part of an emerging market in goods to older women, many of whom live alone push back against the noise pollution while or with younger family members who they avoiding interaction. “I tried to communicate accompanied on a move to the cities, to with them once, but the police stopped me,” socialise. They form strong bonds, often said the Guiyang man. “They thought I was shopping or doing other activities, including going to do something bad. You know the group investments, together, the South China golden rule of Chinese policy: the larger Morning Post reported. number of people matters. Everything is based on social maintenance.” D • TE E E SI AD L EB LO B W N IA
T O H AN •P C China’s noisy ‘dancing grannies’ silenced by device that disables speakers Level: Advanced 6 In your own words
a. You are going to write to your local authorities about the situation. Structure your letter as follows:
• Describe the situation.
• Elaborate on why and how it affects you.
• Give an example.
• Suggest a solution or ask for something specific to be done.
Do either task A or B.
You are in your 20s or 30s and live in an apartment overlooking a public park. You moved to the apartment as you wanted to live in a nice quiet area next to the park so that your children would have a green space in which to play. Your partner works shifts and often comes home and goes straight to bed at 6 in the morning. Someone must do something about these old people who are making other people’s lives unbearable. The park doesn’t belong to them.
You are in your 70s or 80s. You’ve spent many years working hard and now, in retirement, you live on your own. You don’t have much money, and your partner died a few years ago. You were often depressed until you joined a square-dancing group that meets in the park three times a week. Being part of the group has not only made you fitter, it has enabled you to make friends and you no longer feel lonely. You don’t understand why young people can’t respect that.
