As I mentioned in my rambling 'Random observations about China' entry, the Chinese have their own form of hacky sack that is played with what at first looks like a weighted badminton birdie. I wasn't able to upload the video from China, but it is now viewable here.
The Chinese hacky sack game is not played by young people, but rather by the 40+ age group. As explained to me by an acquaintance from Guangzhou (where this video was taken), the feet are the first part of the body to age so people play hacky sack to keep their feet in shape.
What intrigued me most about the game is how much it revealed about the local culture.
- The game is noncompetitive. There is no way to score points, no tricks are performed that call attention to any one player, there are no standings or handicaps, etc.
- The cost of entry is minimal. A good birdie (and there really are good and bad ones) cost about as much as a soda and sandwich.
- Little space is needed to play. No need to reserve a court, lug your clubs through the back nine, pay for an alley, etc - not to mention the fact that space is quite a luxury in a country roughly the same size as the US but home to 20% of the world's population. (The US, by comparison, is home to approximately 5% of the world's population).
- Games form spontaneously. While many came in groups, the majority of players drifted in and out of the game circles as time and stamina allowed. When my son and I did our best to play, we were often joined by other players who were quick to give us impromptu lessons.
Exercise in the US tends to come in three flavors: 1) the wretched chore; 2) the fanatic's fix; 3) the heated competition. Not since I was a child had I experienced the joy of exercise as unadulterated play.
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