The first wave of cultural tourism traffic in 2024 will hit Harbin. This northeastern city that once existed on the mental map of most southerners has become the "top trend" in winter tourism this year, and many related topics have become hot searches. One of them was #SouthernLittlePotato, is it a joke or an offense? The comments from netizens were very divisive and antagonistic. Many media outlets also held a vote in a serious manner, as if they wanted to pour cold water on the booming tourism in Harbin and even Northeast China.
When I saw the title "Little Potato" on Douyin earlier, Harbin's popularity was still in its infancy. As a Hubei native, I didn’t think too much about it at the time, thinking it was just another short-lived hot topic. In this era where bad memes—like dog piss in the corner, as Yu Qian said—proliferate wantonly, “white and thin” bad memes become popular and quickly fade away, and individuals have already established mechanisms to block bad memes.
At that time, when I was chatting with my friends from the Northeast, I learned another way that Northeastern people call outsiders: Little Potato. He replied: Southern little potatoes, with a laughing and crying expression. At that time, I didn't feel any offense or discomfort, so I replied: It's definitely a nickname.
Because from videos and various reports, we can see that in Northeast China, including Harbin, almost the entire city, from merchants to citizens and government agencies, has started a "pleasant potato" mode, warmly entertaining tourists from all over the world, and letting outsiders feel the warmth of the Ice City.
In addition, I have many friends from the Northeast and have been infected by their enthusiasm.The phrase "little potatoes" is like a household conversation between very acquaintances, and it is steaming.Just like many people will call their friends "fat", "big", etc. The familiarity and warm-heartedness of Northeastern people complete the two-way journey in this back-and-forth conversation.
But when the news of Guangxi’s “Small Tangerine Orange” and Yunnan’s “Small Wild Mushroom” entering Harbin became overwhelming, we were alerted that this matter was no longer simple. Until Harbin broke the circle and became "Erbin" and "Southern Little Potato" was materialized, this meme got out of control.
As a result, "Southern Little Potatoes" has an encyclopedia entry, showing the source of research: This meme was originally a short video shot by a man with a southern accent. He held a small potato and introduced: This is a small potato from the South, and it is particularly delicious. Later, some tourists from the south who traveled to the Northeast also called themselves "Southern Little Potatoes" to express their excitement and uneasiness about "bravely venturing into the Northeast". This fresh experience across geography has aroused empathy and resonance among many people. Northeastern locals have also begun to use "Southern Little Potato" to refer to tourists who come to visit, showing humor, intimacy and enthusiasm.
But the controversy is getting bigger and bigger, and many Northeastern netizens have come forward to explain that this is a cute and friendly term. Baby potatoes are nutritious and delicious. This metaphor contains the deep friendship between Northeasterners and Southerners. If Northeasterners really wanted to discriminate against Southerners, they would not use such "kawaii" words, but directly use other words. For example, "Ditanzi", "Dichuliu", "Filing Cannon", etc. These are the names they call people of short stature.
In fact, by now we know that "Southern Little Potatoes" are not an unwarranted "initiation" in Harbin, but a natural product in a real context.Being criticized for discrimination, regional labeling, and gender opposition is unjustifiable and inappropriate. Just like Wuhan Hot Dry Noodles, Nanjing Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup, and Northeast Dazhai, moderate teasing can actually bring you closer psychologically and relax you emotionally.
A healthy meme culture should be tolerated. As the comments of "New Yellow River" said, even if there are some jokes, the premise must be non-malicious and a common denominator acceptable to all parties. Both onlookers and participants should abide by boundaries.What should be condemned are those who distort the meme culture and appropriate it for "private use", but there is no need to condemn the meme culture itself.
To put it bluntly, "Little Potato" is just a purely nickname, perhaps with good-natured ridicule, which is harmless. Because humor itself has the nature of ridicule, language arts such as cross talk and talk shows will borrow related words to stimulate the audience's emotions, relieve stress, and finally laugh. Talk shows even claim to be "offensive" art, but if there are no boundaries and only seek personal pleasure, then it is really offensive. Talk show actors such as Chi Zi, Li Haoshi, Zhou Libo, etc. ended up being cast aside.
Obviously, the boundaries of the "Southern Little Potato" meme have been broken and even taken astray. When the scope of the word is misused and its meaning is overstretched, discomfort naturally arises.
For example, some people wishfully say "I want to raise a southern potato," "A southern potato says thank you, brother," or "A sweet and fragrant little baby is a southern potato." This is no longer a joke, but catering to distorted aesthetic standards such as being white, thin, and young.
According to this kind of statement, no matter whether it is in the south or the north, no one will feel comfortable if they objectify or even dwarf the same kind of people.In "Zootopia", when Judy the Rabbit went to the police station to report, Officer Leopard praised her for being so cute. Judy was very unhappy at this time, because talking about cuteness between Rabbit and Rabbit was a heartfelt praise, but when Officer Leopard said it, it had a different meaning.
At this point, all I can say is: Sorry, I am not such a southern little potato.
But I personally still believe that the people on the black soil come from the bottom of their hearts and sincerely welcome guests from all over the world, not just the south. They are also working hard to introduce various measures, such as frozen pear plates, small potato pendants, Tao Xue Penguin, Oroqen people descending the mountain, etc., to catch this "wealth".
Zibo became popular at the beginning of the year, and Harbin took over at the end of the year. The hospitality of Northeastern people made more people aware of the customs and customs outside Shanhaiguan.But how to deal with hot memes turning into bad memes, and cross-border offenses that attract traffic backlash should also be a must-answer question for Harbin and the new cultural tourism industry.
For Harbin, if it wants to become popular and become "Changhong", it needs to face up to these public opinions and reduce or standardize the use of this meme. If it fails just like that, I’m afraid it’s not the result most people want to see.