February 22, 2011
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My Experience in Shanghai
I arrived in Shanghai about a week and a half ago. I’ve been out and about, and I’ve finally started class yeterday. This city (or country) is quite interesting and very different than the States. Here are a couple things I’ve observed:
You can smoke anywhere. And seriously, anywhere. Inside a restaurant, inside the mall, inside the club, inside an elevator. I went clubbing a couple times, and the clubs are always filllllllled with smoke, to the point where my eyes water, and it’s hard to breathe. I’ve even been burnt by a cigarette on the dance floor. In the morning, my entire chest feels tight, and I have trouble breathing.
Clubbing is a power trip. In Shanghai, the locals don’t do much dancing. Rather, they just buy out tables with loads and loads of alcohol, and they play dice. It’s just a status symbol. But the gays don’t have a need to impress ladies, so they’re like free entertainment.
Pedestrians never have the right of way. Crossing the street is a game of Frogger, and no one ever slows down because you’re in front of them.
(Soft) Drinks are just as expensive as meals. In decent sit down restaurants, an entree will come out to be about 25-40 rmb. Drinks can be the same.
BAO ZI, BAO ZI, BAO ZI. They’re everywhere!
The language barrier is harder than I expected. I’m having a hard time doing things on my own, which is a huge problem for me since I’m highly independent. But so far, I’ve learned how to push off solicitors, count, thank people, order ”the eight dollar one,” and say “I love money.”
Comments (16)
ni shuo shen me? = what did you say?shen me? = what?wo bu zhi dao = I don’t knowwo bu ming bai = I don’t understand (formal “I don’t know”)wo bu hui zhong wen = I am not Chinesewo bu hui shuo zhong wen = I don’t speak Chinesethose are a few phrases I would use a good deal when speaking Mandarin (grins), and no wo bu hui zhong wen (chuckles) and I’ve never been to China, just thought by Chinese friends and re-confirm what they taught me through online dictionary/google translate, maybe you can find them useful too. Sounds like an awesome time besides the smoking. hope you have many more fun adventures over there
@tictact0e0 - what did you just say won’t be useful since i don’t understand chinese! T__Ti actually know how to say i’m american, but i always for get. wo shi me guo ren. ^__^
I never be to Shanghai or even to China, from your posting, that what most of the people tell me.. Well, just hope you’re safe.. and having fun…
i’m studying in shanghai next semester! i’m currently in paris. let me know how it gooooes! and wow, you guys started so late!
which clubs did you go to?
@XoAsianBabioX - (cringes) sorry that you don’t find any of those phrases useful, though I would have thought the phrase for “I don’t know” would be useful at least cause if someone says something to you, you can be like “I don’t know” (chuckles), but oh well, at least you got a good phrase to say (grins) “I’m American”, much props!
@tictact0e0 - no no! most are very useful, but the phrase “what did you just say” isn’t very useful because they’d just repeat it in chinese and id be like o____O
oh (chuckles) gotcha (grins), makes sense, thanks. hope you got much more to write about while over there
Hah, you’re forgetting a more important line:Qing shuo yingwen = Please speak EnglishWhich clubs did you go to? I usually go to the “hotel nightclubs” that are sometimes better and without smoke.Try to find a shopping partner who can speak Shanghainese and not just Chinese if you want to barter — especially on huaihai road.Could always check out the Oriental Pearl TV Tower too! Have fun!
@mindfood - @xXDC_luyouXx@datingish - so far i’ve gone to muse and sky. i prefer sky, because the dj’s better, there’s actually a dance floor, and the owner’s son has a thing for me. xDand @xXDC_luyouXx@datingish - i do have a shanghainese friend! my closest friend here actually.
But the gays don’t have a need to impress ladies, so they’re like free entertainment. LOL!!! =DShanghai sounds like such a fun place. I’ve a couple of expat friends who have stayed there and honestly, from their accounts, that place (and maybe SG) would be where i want to go if i was going to stay abroad.
BAO ZI!! Yummy ^-^
i love shanghai im from there. im surprised you didn’t mention the godawful public bathrooms. squatting to pee is something i forgot about after 10 years abroad. when i went i found my childhood friend whos a god at haggling and that was really useful =D
what school are you going to there btw?
@katethoughts - i’m currently at east cina normal university. i’m here with nyu’s study abroad program. but about the squatties! i haven’t gotten to experience them because i avoid them like the plauge!
Despite the drawbacks to Shanghai and China in general, it is a really terrific place to vacation in. Beautiful city with wonderful shopping and delicious foods.