Identify 4 examples of how the new middle class in China performs class.

Select one
quote for each example (3-6 sentences long).
Performing class through dress to not be mistaken for someone of a lower class
One woman told me that one day she was so humiliated when she went out
in casual clothes with her elderly parents and ran into an acquaintance of her
parents who though she was their baomu. Ever since then she has been very
careful about her appearance. At least I have to be above the dressing level
of xiao baomu, which means I have to pick out a better quality and style of
clothing to wear. Now I usually put makeup on and wear nice earrings when I
go out. It is simply embarrassing to be mistaken for a baomu. (135)
Through advertisements targeted toward a middle class for town homes with
manipulated history to generate symbolic meaning
In the year 2000, a brand new living space called town house ignited the
buying zeal of Chinas middle class. From Beijing and Tianjin to Shanghai,
Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, town houses have caught the eyes of all urban
middle-class people and having become their top choice in reforming their
lifestyles. Town houses signify the beginning of a truly new way of life in
China. It further claims that town houses are extremely popular in Europe
and North America, and are becoming the classical form of residential space
for the middle class. They can foster unprecedented community culture
and a strong sense of belonging among a distinct group of residents. (130)
Through dog ownership
Those who owned or would like to own a pet dog insisted that itwas their
individual right to have a pet and that it was a purely private matter. Thus,
others should not interfere with their choice and lifestyle. By contrast, those
who did not own or did not want ot have a pet dog believed that their normal
life was violated by pet dogs that created constant noise, messed up the
environment, and sometimes even harmed pedestrians. They viewed the
spread of pet dogs as a vulgar fashion and an uncivil, selfish behavior
because it enhanced ones own pleasure at the price of making others
miserable. For both proponents and opponents, individual freedom and
rights of private property owners figured centrally in their arguments. (125126)
Through investing in their childrens future
Most of the middle- and upper-middle income families I interviewed were
willing to spend a good portion of their income on childrens extracurricular
activities. They affirmed to me that this was a very important investment and
would prove to be worthwhile because their kids would eventually stand out

among others. Xiao Fang was a twelve-year-old girl whom I talked to several
times. Her mother was a university professor and her father was a lawyer.
She told me that there was a lot of pressure on her to achieve a good
academic performance and in addition she had been taking private piano
lessons for five years. I asked whether she enjoyed playing piano. Not really,
but my Mom said that I must have some special skills, she replied.
Otherwise, I will fall behind and no one will notice me. Physical appearance
was also an important indicator of not only beauty but also of class. Xiao
Fangs mother was concerned about her daughters teeth and made sure she
wore braces for two years even though orthopedic work was costly. Her
mother was also worried about Xiao Fangs slightly hunched shoulders and
spent ten thousand yuan on therapeutic massage for a year hoping that his
would correct her posture. (124)