BTW, I am right now getting a lesson as to Chinese senses of humor. I recently told my Chinese friend, Jessica from Wuhan, about my idea for a Red Guards Chinese Restaurant which would feature a Red Guards theme. It would be kind of like dinner theater but instead of show tunes for the customers, Red Guards scenes would be displayed. The waiters and waitresses would be dressed in Mao outfits and caps. There would be periodic choreographed marching and singing with red banners by Chinese Red Guards girls. Then there would be chanting while waving the little Red Book by performers who would also occasionally drag out a dishwasher or cook from the kitchen and place a dunce hat on their hats and urge them to confess their crimes. The menu items would feature such things as Mao Tse Yum-Yums, Long March Lo Mein, and Chou En-Lei Chow Mein. There would also be performances that used to be popular in the Red Opera that Mao's nutty wife used to put on.
Jessica loved the idea and is now trying to get a Chinese Restaurant to incorporate this Red Guards theme. However, most Chinese don't see the campy humor in this. But don't worry. It is only a matter of time. Eventually in South Florida there will be a Red Guards Chinese Restaurant. Only those with a sense of humor will be admitted.
Americans are too dumb to know or care who Mao's "Red Guards" are.
Speaking of seemingly inappropriate use of Mao and Red Guards as a source of humor, it might interest you to know that a fanzine publication for fans of the New England Revolution soccer team, was called "Pictures of Chairman Mao" (from a Beatles song, I think?), and featured a picture of Chairman Mao on the cover. It was a pretty lively and humorous soccer fanzine. Apparently it is no longer in publication, but here is the URL:
http://www.nhsoccer.com/rev/mao.htm.