In ancient China there was a group of so-called ‘advisers’ employed to serve and entertain their masters as ‘parasitic guests’ or Shike. They were different from persuasive ‘lobbyists’ or Shuike, another group of people who were employed for their gift of the gab.
These ‘parasitic guests’ were considered by some people to be opportunists. They sponged on or acted as a hanger-on of an aristocrat. A hanger-on is someone who associates with an important person for gain. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between a real friend and a hanger-on. An aristocrat, on the other hand, is a nobleman or a member of a hereditary ruling class. Hence, when these two classes of people worked together, they acted out a display of hypocrisy and flattery.
When their services were required, these ‘parasitic guests’ would also represent their masters in entertaining VIPs. Whenever there were feasts being held, they could expect to be counted to sit among close friends and relatives of their masters. ‘Parasitic guests’ existed more than 2,500 years ago. Do you think they exist today in our society, albeit in a different name?
4 May 2010
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