Shanghai China Snippets Observations about living in Shanghai and China in general

I lived in [tag]Kunming[/tag] and the the closest thing to firework during [tag]Spring Festival[/tag] was a meagre bang.

I celebrated the coming of the [tag]Chinese[/tag] New Year in [tag]Chengdu[/tag] last year and there was something going on on the outskirts of the city.

This year I watched from behind the window and it was magnificent. The real fireworks I had envisioned before coming to [tag]China[/tag].

[tag]Shanghai[/tag] Fireworks rock.

(The pic is just a bad caption of what really went on, I know:)

Walking in [tag]Nanjing[/tag] Xi Lu today I realized this must be the quietest day in the year, at least by daylight. The darker it gets, the more fireworks will be heard. Hardly any traffic as everyone is at home preparing their food, getting together with their families and enjoy their free time.

Many of these people traveled far and for a long time on crowded buses, trains and planes. Some even used diapers to stand the [tag]travel[/tag].

Some [tag]Spring Festival[/tag] [tag]Statistics[/tag]:

• 2 billion + is the total number of passengers in [tag]China[/tag] in this period
• 10 million of these are expected to arrive in [tag]Shanghai[/tag]
• 170.000 is the peak daily flow of passengers through Shanghai Railway Station
• 25 million is spend on fireworks in Shanghai
• 8 million of these fireworks is bought from a legal source

I wish all readers of this blog a happy year of the [tag]Dog[/tag].

source: 8days

One of my resolutions for the [tag]New Year[/tag] was to stop [tag]eating[/tag] in [tag]Shanghai[/tag] restaurants that offer a lousy service.

I voiced this ambition to W. and she responded by saying.

“We won’t have anywhere to go after this year”

Actually my resolution has a wider scope. To stop buying anything from any place that is sub standard and doesn’t show any interest in receiving money from me. Like the small cigarette shop next to our building.

I ask for a specific brand of [tag]cigarettes[/tag], the guy looks up from his magazine and says with a grin, [tag]Mei you[/tag] (We don’t have) , and continues to read. He lost my business but I am sure he doesn’t care at all.

I prefer walking a bit further to another shop. I ask for a certain [tag]brand[/tag], they say, Mei you, but the sales woman adds. “But, we have this one, which is similar” and she smiles.

I am a sucker for a smile and service but in a country where thanking for a service often results with an embarrassed smile and a mumbled, “Your welcome”, there is still some space to improve. It seems seller don’t expect a thank you.

It looks like everything will be better in 5 years time in [tag]Shanghai[/tag]. As the Shanghai People’s Congress got together this week, maybe they still do, have no clue, they outlined their 11th [tag]Five Year Plan[/tag].

Thanks to the local gazette, I understand a bit more of the objectives.

I like to highlight one and sincerely hope it will not take 5 years to achieve.

“七不“ 规范 – qībù guīfàn – aka The 7 Don’ts Norms
(memorize this and say it out loud every 5 minutes when you walk in the street)

• Don’t Litter
• Don’t spit
• Don’t spoil green places
• Don’t damage public property
• Don’t use foul language
• Don’t smoke in public places

I hear you thinking, these are only 6 Don’ts. You’re absolutely right but for the local gazette 6 equals 7. Don’t blame me.

Let’s talk local [tag]politics[/tag]. The [tag]Shanghai[/tag] People’s Congress has assembled and already some good things have been talked about. It appears that Shanghai is lacking behind neighbouring city [tag]Hangzhou[/tag] as far as inconspicious signs and charges for service.

I endorse the proposal to lift all the charges for the public [tag]toilets[/tag]. No mention of cleanliness yet but I am sure that is on the agenda for today.

If the need is high and there is no 5 star shopping mall around it will be worth it to save a couple of mao. If you are ever in the neighbourhood of [tag]Nanjing[/tag] Xi Lu I personally can vouch for the [tag]Plaza 66[/tag] [tag]bathrooms[/tag], clean and free.