Saturday, December 11, 2010

Funny (This week's Photo Hunt theme)



No question: Life in the fast-paced, high-pressured urban jungle that covers much of Hong Kong can be stressful and tough -- and some days, it can seem like there are only serious and grim faces to be found around you in the office, on the streets and in the MTR.

But I actually have found that if you allow yourself some time to breathe and really look about you, there almost always will be a sight withing viewing distance that will strike you as either funny (haha) or funny (peculiar) -- or even both! -- and cause you to smile, break into a grin or even laugh out loud. Or maybe I just have an easily tickled funny bone!

In any case, here's furnishing two visual examples in this Photo Hunt of things I've come across while going about living life in the Big Lychee that I think are funny (and yes, in more than one way) as well as speak to Hong Kongers -- not just the Japanese -- having a kawaii-streak.

With regards to the first photo: I find it funny how the MTR authorities not only feel obliged to play "nanny" and tell people to hold on to escalator handrails (and not walk while on escalators -- something which I have to admit to tending to ignore, especially when I'm in a hurry) but do so with the help of a comic character that is a "penguin-ized" smiley face.

As for the second photo: believe it or not, the authorities actually have set up a designated Laughing Corner in Victoria Park! But whether it's a spot set aside for people to practice laughter yoga is something I have yet to find out... ;D

25 comments:

Susan Demeter said...

Now that is something new to me, a designated area for laughing! Two fun choices for the theme, though in the first case I too like to walk on the escalators, not sure how I'd feel about being told not to. Happy photo hunting!

magiceye said...

lovely images to bring on the smiles!

Anonymous said...

i would think that these images would inform us of the chinese/hk sense of humor - funny characters.

Carver said...

The idea of a special place to laugh strikes my funny bone. Both of your shots are perfect for the theme. I had trouble with this one. I've actually had trouble with most of the recent themes but I guess that makes it challenging to come up with something. Happy weekend.

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, great photos and what a wonderful idea to have a special place to laugh. They definitely put a smile on my face. Great take.

Liz said...

That's new to me too. Cute photos!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Liz @ MLC

LifeRamblings said...

your photos definitely bring a smile to my face.

MaR said...

They are funny and cute!! funny, you couldn't see my picture either...wondering why.
Happy weekend!
funny

YTSL said...

Hi Sue --

I think that cute critter (that makes me smile when I see it) softens the impact of the urging to desist from walking on the escalator... ;b

Hi magiceye --

Glad the photos caused you to smile. :)

Hi ewok1993 --

Possibly -- but I'm primarily thinking in terms of evidence of a HK/Chinese fondness for things cute! :D

Hi Carver --

I too have felt that some of the recent Photo Hunt themes have been challenging -- but in general, I welcome them -- not least since it seems to inspire people to go in a variety of ways with each of the theme. :)

Hi Trekcapri --

I wish there could be a designated place to scream too as I've found that to be pretty therapeutic -- and fun when done with a group! ;O

Hi Liz --

I have to admit to wondering how many places in the world have designated Laughing Corners. Not all that many, I wager! :D

Hi Life Ramblings --

Am glad to learn that my photos are smile-inducing. :)

Hi Mar --

Re the invisible photos: I had that problem for a time at thchick's too. I think it was something with importing photos from Flickr? Could that be it?

Randi said...

Greate take on this theme and both are really funny. I love the Laughing Corner! I have been to Victoria Parc many times, but I´m so sorry that I have missed this. Perhaps this special corner is new?
I wish you a great weekend.

eastcoastlife said...

I find Hong Kongers too intent on chasing after wealth.... didn't know there is a Laughing Corner set up. :P

Gattina said...

What an excellent idea ! an area for laughing ? should be introduced everywhere !

healingmagichands said...

How funny! Those two people laughing with hearts in their mouths is just too funny for words. So glad I came over to share today.

http://healingmagichands.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/photohunt-funny/

jams o donnell said...

I have never seen a designated laughing place before. Great take on the theme

annie said...

I love your post for this theme. A designated laughing area is just a wonderful concept (and the creatures in the photo are funny).

YTSL said...

Hi Randi --

Am not sure if the Laughing Corner is new but it's in a kind of out of the way place -- near the Hill Knoll Pavilion. Maybe next time you're in Hong Kong, you could go look for it... ;b

Hi EastCoastLife --

Too intent? Hmmm... I think that like I've written before, I find that Hong Kongers like to work hard but also play hard -- in other words, yes, they value money but they know how to enjoy themselves too (and sometimes for free)!

Hi Gattina --

Take it that if they introduced a Laughing Corner to Waterloo, you'd be the first to go make use of it?! :D

Hi healingmagichands --

And I'm glad you came over -- and found my entry to be amusing. :)

Hi KISSEDALOTATOADS --

Am glad you do! :)

Hi jams --

Yeah, get the feeling that Laughing Corners are -- alas? -- few and far between! ;D

Hi annie --

Those characters make me smile, even if not laugh out loud -- which I don't think is a bad thing at all. :)

Alice Audrey said...

You mean the girl and boy heads are oversize equipment? I thought they were his and hers garbage cans, only I couldn't tell where the hole was for dropping stuff in.

Unknown said...

those are really funny shots ...

hop on over ...

http://lifeiskulayful.blogspot.com

peppylady (Dora) said...

Thanks for stop in. I have never seen those things. They do have a goofy smile to them. A smile goes a long ways

Pimenta said...

Hey, if you discover where is the laugh corner , tell us please!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH
I will be searching it to!
HAHAHAHAHHAHA
Thanks!
Ps, For sure I will enjoy it!

Unknown said...

a Laughing Corner! what a wonderful idea.:p

had car trouble yesterday that made me miss PH.:(

YTSL said...

Hi Alice Audrey --

They're not equipment per se but just statue thingies denoting a Laughing Corner! :D

Hi Kay --

Funny, didn't I hop on over to check out your Photo Hunt entry before you did mine? ;b

Hi Peppylady --

Agree that a smile goes a long way -- and that goofy smiles can amuse. :)

Hi Pimenta --

Er... I did discover where the Laughing Corner is and tell people where it is (Victoria Park, Hong Kong). Also... are you a Photo Hunter? To be honest, I didn't go to your blog because the "adult content" warning made me inclined to be wary... :S

Hi Luna Miranda --

Oh dear re your missing Photo Hunt this week! Went over to your blog and noticed that it didn't have a "Funny"-themed entry. Too bad... and hope you can get back to Photo Hunting next week. (And definitely appreciate your visiting this week despite not officially playing...) :)

Pimenta said...

Oh, sorry for the warning, but is necessary,and the blog is write in Portuguese, sorry again.
To me, the Victoria is too big,because that I asked where it is exactly!
I"m not a photo hunter.Sorry, I'm too lazy.
hugs!

Anonymous said...

LOVE the smiles on those characters!

Great shots for this week's theme.

YTSL said...

Hi again Pimenta --

Thanks for the clarifications. Re the Laughing Corner's location in Victoria Park: Like I told Randi (*nudge*), it's near the Hill Knoll Pavilion. Hope that helps narrow things down for you! ;D

Hi JDeQ --

Glad you liked the smiles and hope they got you smiling yourself. :)