Chao Bai (Southern Daily): Square dancing is often seen in China. It is a way for senior ladies to have fun.

However, the cultural and legal environment is quite different in the United States. These ladies did affect other people's lives. We feel sorry for what they have done in New York, and hope our compatriots planning to go and live abroad learn to respect local ways of life.

Li Xianzi (Yanzhao Evening News): There exists a big gap between Western and Oriental culture. Square dancing, which is very common in Chinese communities, seems to be resisted in the United States.

We can't complain that people from other nations are too picky with regards to these ladies. In many cities, seniors like to gather and dance at night, which ensures joy, health and entertainment.

However, every coin has two sides. Such dancing, however innocent, can easily disturb public peace. We have seen incidents on the Internet where conflicts broke out between residents who could no longer bear the noise. Noisy square dancing has become a common social concern in many Chinese cities, but the authorities have paid little attention to it.

In the United States, locals often solve such problems via legal means.

Hu Shui (www.life.caixun.com): In China, it's unimaginable that senior ladies taking part in square dancing would be sent to court for disturbing the peace.

Many Chinese love exciting, busy and festive occasions. People tend to express their happiness through setting off firecrackers and through dance. You may see it as an optimistic side of the Chinese national character. However, we have to admit that some people tend to neglect public order while enjoying themselves.

Square dancing is a form of entertainment and physical exercise, which is a good thing. However, many of us might have had the following experiences: You want to sleep late into noon on weekend mornings, but find it impossible because the senior citizens are dancing since the early hours, making a lot of noise. Sometimes, you want to have a rest or talk with friends in a quiet park, only to be interrupted repeatedly by music associated with group dancing.

Is it all right for senior citizens to dance in public? And when should they be allowed to do so? This is a rather controversial topic. However, due to cultural differences, this habit has already affected New York residents.

Whatever your choice of entertainment, it is important not to affect other people's lives. Square dancing is only one of many activities during which people should mind their behavior.

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