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The mystery of the Chinese consumer 揭秘中国消费者 LILY LI wears a lanyard with a little plastic card around her neck, even at weekends. It is abadge of honour: it shows that she has a white-collar job. She uses Apple earphones for the cheap Chinesemobile phone in her pocket, so it looks as if she owns an iPhone. And she drives to work,though it takes four times longer than public transport, just to show off her little car. 李小姐周末也佩戴者一张小塑料卡片。这是荣耀的象征：白领。李小姐包里装着便宜的国产手机，耳上却戴着苹果的耳机，看起来就像用的是苹果iPhone手机。李小姐驾车上班，尽管耗时是公交车4倍，但是她就是想显摆她的小车。 After decades of deprivation and conformism, Chinese consumers regard expensiveconsumer goods as trophies of success. In public, they show off. In private, they pinchpennies. The owner of a gleaming new BMW will drive around for half an hour to avoid a 50cent parking fee. And she will hesitate to spend much on interior decoration, because only herfamily sees the inside of her flat. 过了几十年的清苦日子，循规蹈矩。中国消费者们现在觉得昂贵的消费品昭示着成功。在外就炫耀不已，私下，锱铢必较。拥有一辆闪耀的新款宝马车就得四处转悠半个小时避免交那点停车费。购买房屋内部装饰则很犹豫，因为只有家人才看得到房子内。 | 
