Jungle gym

Among the biggest frustrations for expats in China is watching on while something unfolds that simply wouldn't be allowed in the Western world. The obvious example is the total disregard for, and lack of enforcement of, road rules. I also often note with horror the very lax health and safety procedures on the city's many construction sites: the classic example being a picture of a guy welding with a mask made out of a piece of salvaged cardboard. My latest moment of minor outrage came today when I was exercising at the gym and some guy came in with his two little kids (aged maybe 4 and 6) and just let them run wild while he exercised, with his back to the children, on a treadmill. After they started fiddling with, and partially dismantling, some of the machines, I made my exit. I considered explaining to the guy how unsafe and inconsiderate this was, but realised there was no point. Far worse things happen here.