A woman in Beijing who found it difficult to travel on the city's crowded subway bought a "silicon belly" from an online retailer, and put it on to look pregnant and make sympathetic passengers give her their seat. Passengers discovered the ruse when her fake belly fell on the very first day she used it. The incident is reflective of the changing social mentality in China, says an article in Xi'an Evening News. Excerpts:

Silicon bellies are used by actresses as prop in films and TV programs. But some online retailers are trying to lure women to buy them so that they can fake pregnancy and get a seat on public vehicles. That fellow passengers still yield their seats to pregnant women is proof that people are still ready to help the infirm and needy.

But the business of selling silicon bellies is an affront to social morality. And how could such a business escape supervision?

Worse, after being found out, the woman blamed the poor quality of the silicon belly and even lodged a complaint with the local industrial and commercial administration against the product, instead of regretting her action.

Indeed, the woman cannot be accused of violating any law. But her action will make people doubt the condition of even genuinely pregnant women, who may now find it hard to get a seat on public vehicles.

The woman who wore the fake belly has done a great disservice to other women, especially the infirm and the mothers-to-be. Women should refrain from pulling such smart moves just for a little comfort.

(China Daily 03/06/2013 page10)