In the Zhongbei Chuncheng residential area in Harbin, a notice was posted saying "No random fireworks setting off, except for the blind" (picture from the video screenshot of our station). According to Heilongjiang Network Radio and Television Station (Weibo) news, on February 6, with the arrival of the Lantern Festival, the sound of firecrackers outside never stops, and the sky is full of blooming fireworks. However, in order to ensure safety, fireworks should be set off at designated locations. In one residential area in Harbin, the promotion of safe fireworks setting off was done very well, but the four words "except for the blind" on the promotional banner made people feel uncomfortable.
【Narration】In the Zhongbei Chuncheng residential area in Harbin, there is such a promotional notice: "Prohibition of setting off fireworks please go to the designated location, except for the blind." The first two sentences are easy to understand, but the four words "except for the blind" stand out sharply.
【Interview】Harbin Zhongbei Chuncheng Residential Area Resident Wang Shang: Blind people cannot set off fireworks anyway, so why write 'except for the blind'.
【Interview】Harbin Zhongbei Chuncheng Residential Area Resident Wang Xu: Using derogatory language, it seems like those who don't know are blind people, we find this situation very incomprehensible, even infuriating.
【Interview】Harbin Zhongbei Chuncheng Residential Area Resident Zhu Siwen: This 'except for the blind', why is this here? How to say, the implied insult is too obvious.
【Narration】Residents said that these slogans were hung in the neighborhood before the New Year, they have always wanted to know what considerations the property management had when writing these four words.
【Interview】Harbin Zhongbei Chuncheng Phase III Property Management Office Liu Chunyan: Normally understood, it means setting off fireworks at the designated location. It's hoped that whether you're blind or we can see normally, you should all go. (Then what does it have to do with blind people? They can't see the fireworks?) Not necessarily all blind people in the family (Can blind people set them off here?) No, they can go listen (Blind people can listen here?) Not that they can listen here or not, it depends on how you understand it.
【Narration】The property staff believe there's nothing wrong with this slogan, and emphasized that the practice of "except for the blind" was specially borrowed from the advanced experience of big cities.
【Interview】Harbin Zhongbei Chuncheng Phase III Property Management Office Customer Service Department Director Liu Chunyan: In places like Shanghai and Beijing, there are such slogans in property neighborhoods, which are just reminder slogans. There are some notices about what to pay attention to, 'except for the blind' was borrowed from big cities, our property used this as a reference for publicity.
【Editorial Note】Reminding everyone to set off fireworks at designated locations is certainly a good thing, but property staff, can't you change the way you speak? Whether it's your innovation or borrowing advanced experiences from other cities, methods that make the owners uncomfortable shouldn't be used. Besides, blind friends who can't see fireworks are so innocent! Such words can unintentionally hurt others.