It's time to cut those purse strings, guys

Decades ago, Mao Zedong succinctly settled the age-old debate about gender equality when he stated that "women hold up half the sky".

So why is it, in the 21st century, Chinese women can't even hold their own handbags?

As an unenlightened foreign guest (albeit with nearly five years' residence in this fascinating land), I should probably just keep my mouth shut and write this off as one of China's societal quirks - like taking photos of meals, or putting tiny rubber boots on poodles. But that's not my way.