How the humble Good Morning towel became a symbol of hard-working people in Asia
The Good Morning towel has become a cultural symbol that evokes nostalgia and has inspired modern interpretations and even artwork
It is early on a Saturday morning and a wet market in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay neighbourhood is heaving with people stocking up on produce before Typhoon Wipha hits later that day.
Hidden among the stalls is another market “staple” – the Good Morning towel, a piece of white cotton emblazoned with “Good Morning” in bright red cursive and its equivalent translation in Chinese (zhu jun zao an).
While “Good Morning” is the most common phrase, others such as “Good Fortune” and “Very Healthy” adorn some towels in the same distinctive red font.
“I have many of these towels,” says the fishmonger, slightly perplexed as to why someone is asking about an old rag.
Those living in Hong Kong are likely to have a few lurking in a cupboard. Walk around the city and you will see them draped over buckets or dangling from minibus’ mirrors. Pop the boot of a taxi and a few might stare back with their cheery greeting.