European carry-all, man bag

Apparently, the shou bao (or as we know it as the man bag) is all the rage in Beijing! It's suppose to be a status symbol of sorts. It does make sense for guys to carry a bag because how much stuff can you stuff in your trouser pockets unless you are wearing cargo pants with 101 pockets. Also, doesn't the unevenness of your back pockets make sitting uncomfortable and therefore gives you bad posture? My father owns a shou bao but he only uses it when he is in mainland China. I think it stays in China now. Currently, he is seen sporting a black leather shoulder satchel like a university student.

How does a man bag make someone look more successful according to the guy's statement in the article? Does it scream out - I am carrying so much cash it doesn't all fit in my wallet? I have seen Chinese business men whip out a wad of cash the size of a brick and if I remember correctly he did own a man bag. I gather there is also a degree of mistrust because isn't it more convenient to give the money to the wife/gf the money to put in her hand bag like most guys do with the house and car keys, ipods and PSPs?

For the foodies
I've decided to being back my for the foodies segment because now I'm in the right part of the world where I do get to eat more interesting delicious food.
Is it a bit rich to be eating foie gras pâté for breakfast? We had a buffet for brunch yesterday and it was on offer. I don't know what the big deal about foie gras is, it tastes like normal liver pate to me. It's definitely not worth the sacrifices geese make to produce this epicurean delicacy.

A lot of fish was consumed in the past 24 hours. On yesterday's list:
smoked salmon

• raw salmon
• raw tuna
• raw white fish that starts with a 'B' that I've forgotten the name of
• fried small fish with pointy tail