An innocuous message on Shanghai Metro's website advising young women to refrain from dressing too revealingly in the summer has stirred a storm of protests, alleging sexism on Internet forums.

Angry critics accused the subway operator of unfairly blaming the rise in petty sex crimes in subway cars on the way women chose to dress. They may have a point. But coming from Hong Kong, I am amazed by the very "casual" way Shanghai women, and men, dress not only for play but also at work.

Of course, businesses in Hong Kong have been following the example set by the government to promote casual dress in the work place. The objective of the exercise is to help save energy by cutting down the use of air-conditioning in the summer months.