China's Alibaba in 'flying pig' controversy

[1984hasarrived]

This is just ludicrous - if he is so offended by it, then don't use the app, simple.  You don't like it, don't use it, but please don't get offended by it - see the comedy sketch below.

This is taking PC to the nth degree, and people should be should more tolerance of others instead of simply taking offensive at everything. (Here is a vid I posted elsewhere of a comedian talking about being offended).



The PC lunacy is alive and well over here too, but as the article states will get little sympathy from many millions, as PC is a type of computer here, and the other meaning of PC is relatively unknown.

A Chinese Muslim's call for e-commerce giant Alibaba to rename one of its services because it uses the word "pig" has sparked a backlash in China.

It all began when Alibaba changed the name of its popular travel booking app from Alitrip to one that means "Flying Pig" in Chinese. Its English name is Fliggy.

Over the weekend, Uighur businessman Adil Memettur criticised this decision on popular microblogging network Sina Weibo, where he has hundreds of thousands of followers.

He noted that the app is popular among minorities because it lets people whose names have unusual spellings make bookings.

"But now that Alitrip has changed its name to Flying Pig, I can only uninstall it, and maybe all my Muslim friends too, because the word "pig" is taboo to Muslims all over the world. Alibaba is an international corporation, could it take Muslim taboos into consideration?" he said.




His post quickly sparked condemnation and ridicule from other Chinese online, with some asking if this meant China had to expunge all references to pigs in popular culture and literature.

"We each have our own way of life; we do not force you to live according to our rules, but you cannot force us to change the law," said Weibo user Fireflyinred.

Mr Memettur quickly took down the post and on Sunday night he posted an apology.

Alibaba told the BBC that they decided to rebrand the app to appeal to a younger demographic. "We embrace diversity and respect all creeds and religions. The name change is meant to reflect the demographic's aspirations to pursue dreams, sit back and enjoy life," said the spokesman.

The visceral pushback stems from the fact that the pig occupies an important place in Chinese culture.

Pork is not only a staple of Chinese cuisine - the government keeps a national reserve of pork in case of market shortages - but the pig is also celebrated in folklore and the Chinese zodiac.

Online, the reaction to Mr Memettur has been intense, often descending into derogatory comments and insulting jokes about Muslims and Uighur culture.

It has also highlighted how gaps in understanding between Muslim minorities and the Han Chinese majority can arise.

China's Alibaba in 'flying pig' controversy - BBC News

[Daitengu]

May the flying pig of happiness shit on the muzzies head ...... fuck em if the damn muzzies are offended by it .....

Better idea do away with damn muzzies as they offend me ..... 

* wanders off to get beer and char siu pau * .....  

[Grace]

The word pig is not taboo.. that's insane. Muslims don't have any taboo whatsoever in saying the word pig in any language. It's touching or eating an actual real pig that is haram.. not saying the word.. 

This has nothing to do with being pc, this is about idiocy. The blogger is probably getting paid by a competing company to say that.. (you know... shock horror delete, don't do business with them) God knows pc idiocy has been working in corporations favor here in the states when it comes to cutting the throats of competitors, they probably figure they may as well try it over there too ..