There has been an increase in pet supplement purchases. [Photo/VCG]
Pawsitive health craze
Recently, there has been a notable increase in the purchase of supplements such as fish oil and glucosamine for joint health, and coenzyme Q10 for heart benefits among young people in China. Interestingly, these health supplements are not intended for themselves but rather for their pets.
According to a survey released by CCTV Finance last year, 75.81 percent of respondents are willing to spend on supplements for their pets, particularly those aged between 18 and 35, in hopes of extending and improving their pets' lives.
Tang Shiying, who owns two small dogs, told New Weekly that she spends around 400 yuan ($55.03) monthly on pet supplements. "For larger breeds such as Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and German shepherds, the costs for supplements can be two to three times higher than for smaller dogs," she said.
A pet blogger known as Y (pseudonym), who cares for two senior dogs, takes a cautious approach to using supplements. She told New Weekly that despite receiving several pet supplement advertisements each month, she consistently declines them.
Y points out that supplements need to be processed by the liver and kidneys — organs particularly vulnerable in aging dogs.
"Instead of investing in unnecessary supplements for senior dogs, it is more advisable to use the money for regular checkups. If health issues arise, then consider supplements or medications tailored to their specific needs," she suggested.
Bars in certain major Chinese cities are being repurposed into venues for academic discussions. [Photo/VCG]
Scholarly spirits
In certain major Chinese cities, a new trend has recently emerged where bars are being repurposed into unconventional venues for academic discussions.
In early June, at a rooftop bar in Beijing, a group of young people gathered not for casual drinking, but to participate in an academic lecture on psychology.
The cozy atmosphere, illuminated by warm yellow lights, created an interesting backdrop to the scholarly concepts displayed on PowerPoint slides.
Despite this unusual fusion, as reported by Beijing Youth Daily, the attendance surpassed expectations. Over 60 people attended the event, prompting the bar owner to borrow extra chairs from nearby areas to accommodate the large audience.
This lecture series at bars is initiated by Zhang Jianing, a graduate of the Communication University of China, who draws inspiration from a historical practice. Zhang points out that in ancient Greece, gatherings like Plato's "The Symposium "involved engaging in academic conversations over wine, setting a precedent for discussing scholarly topics in informal settings.
Hosting lectures in bars breaks away from conventions, offering participants a novel experience and a more relaxed environment for interaction.
Zhang recalled that during his time at university, he and his peers often took part in such cultural exchanges. However, opportunities like these became rare after graduation.
"We want to share our perspectives with fellow enthusiasts and create a relaxed environment for dialogue," Zhang told Beijing Youth Daily.
