The line between humiliation and effective management is but a mere cat’s whisker.
Just ask the oh-so-masculine (and apparently very secure about it) Thai police whose limits have been pushed to the brink – calling on the power of the punitive pussy to keep their ranks in line. “Thai police officers who break rules will be forced to wear hot pink armbands featuring Hello Kitty, the Japanese icon of cute, as a mark of shame, a senior officer said Monday.“
“‘(Hello) Kitty is a cute icon for young girls. It’s not something macho police officers want covering their biceps,’ [Police Col. Pongpat Chayaphan] said.“
If they know what’s good for them, they won’t tell Hello Kitty, for fear she might unleash the wrath of her three-shiny-apples worth upside their macho noggins.
And whatever you do, don’t tell this guy.
This article appears in August 3 • 2007.