I am shocked that this article made print. The author's byline says she lives in Beijing, but I am doubtful about that because of all of the innaccuracies and false-truths. If the author does live in Beijing, it is doubtful that she speaks chinese and/or has any chinese friends. If she did, she would know that many of the "past traditions" she eulogizes are alive and well not just in Beijing, but ALL OVER CHINA. It seems that she has a hidden agenda, or wrote the article from a Starbuck's counter in Columbus, Ohio. At least she got paid.