Wake up (in your pajamas) and smell the tulips, Expo is on its way

You would have thought those in charge would have greater things to worry about that what people will be wearing once the Shanghai World Expo opens its gates. But no, the latest regulation to come from the authorities is all about fashion. Or maybe, the lack of it. China Decoded brings to light the city’s new Expo dress code, which prohibits those in their pajamas from venturing outside. It's not a new debate. The popular pastime has been discussed for many years. But this time the government is taking its requested policy seriously, by using a team of volunteers to enforce the rule on everyone from toddlers to local grannies. Although having garnered some successful results, it’s also left a long line of indignant citizens debating the image of their country versus the age-old issue of fashion freedom. Some are openly asking why “the habit of wearing pajamas in public suddenly became the enemy of civilization.” 

Perhaps by way of bringing some love and harmony back to the people, a couple of other new stories that have been doing the rounds concern the Expo's floral contingency. As if he weren’t choking us enough with his cuteness, ubiquitous Expo mascot Haibao just got even sweeter compliments of Holland’s tulip authority. This Friday, the Zeeschat tulip (Dutch for ‘treasure of the sea’) will officially make its public appearance as a special Haibao display at Shanghai’s Flower Port until the final week countdown on April 26th. 

This newly developed tulip species, more than 20 years in the making, was officially presented last December to China’s top Expo boss Hu Jinjun by Dutch Consul-general Eric Verwaal, followed by an official Shanghai planting of 500 bulbs. 

This new addition complements the hosts' own floral developments, as a newly-developed bloom has also been added to the pot (a Guzmania species for any plant nerds out there), with petals boasting the same fiery red color as China’s Expo Pavilion. The more the better we guess, as China's pavilion is expected to house approximately 100,000 flower pots in total.