One spring day at the Shanghai Metro

There are many time I wrote on the blog that shanghai is not China, when you visit you see this sparling metropolis, and thinking wow China really is the future for all of us. Let look at the facts, this country only been developing for about 25 years, but the transformation from a poor country can’t feed their own people to it is today, the second largest economy in the world in a very short time.

There are anything on the surface seemingly sophosicated, like many of the upscale restaurants or hotels, especially in the tourist district. However take a spin on the metro off the main lines you will see the immediate different even for the ridership, the behavior and their attitude even the taste in their choice of clothing. While unexpected, we are being watch at all time, even when you think the police were there just to give you a false sense of security.

Last weekend the first time in one and a half year since I moved to China, was also the first time I ever saw the security guards in action in the metro station. For the longest times I thought it was just another job for these poor folks. They never seem to check anything or found anything behind the camera look at bags passing thru day after day inside the metro station. I will go nuts if I have to do that the rest of my life. No one ever get search, what purpose did they serve, Back home in NY we can’t even afford station attendants. I just figure that these guards serve no purpose the government gave them a job with minimum pay, just so they can say that they are employed.

How wrong was I.

On this rainy and cold mid Sunday afternoon, I was rushing thru as usual in one of the busiest metro exchange station. There it was, it happened right in front of me, 5-armed security guards surrounding 6 innocent and frighten looking passengers with light luggage. They were being searched and checking their ID. (That coincidentally reminded me that I really should carry some kind of ID while in China). What ever they were doing and what initiated the investigating, I will never know. However for the first time I feel unease. It proves that all these security cameras all over the city does serve a purpose, it all works, nothing like those in NY. Million spend just for show. Collecting dust and nothing works.

My friend told me later that these passengers that was being interrogated might be from the border provinces. My response is that I thought citizen of China are allow to move freely within the country. The only restricted area that wishes to go must require a permit is Hong Kong. Besides how can the securities knew where they were from? The answer was, “ How they dressed”.

That thought linger on in my mind. How they were dressed. I think they all dress the same; I never pay much attention to it, other than the fact that Chinese women in general are more willing to show their skin than their western counterpart ever will.

While the comment was still fresh in my mind on my way to my suburban destination, I started to look around and I can actually see the different the riders on the suburban line does dress differently. I saw no designer bags as in the more center city metro lines, absences designer label or icon on their clothing. The knock off they wore are of the worst kind, that you can tell it is fake immediately.

But they are colorful, very colorful indeed. Will you ever wear a peacock color tights tug into the fake fur line ring of a 6” heel short boot topped the custom with a bright color short waist length jacket that was a little too light for the winter weather? The huge fake Gucci bag is a dead give away with a big “FAKE” written across it. The worst is that she is a little over weight and in the frame of 5 ft. Tight is not really the dress of choice, or is it? The 6” heels on top of that I am totally speechless.

On the opposite side of the car, a man wore a pair of dark sunglasses on this cold and rainy day. Oh I got it. It is a real deal, unmistakable, “Ray Ban”

The young man on the train all had the reddish brown hair color by the low quality dye their hair was so dry and full that looks more like cover by haystacks, or a wig. Knick off shoes in bright colors are everywhere, tight jeans on the skeleton legs. I hate to be stereotyping, but it is all so true, I am in the star war space ship to nowhere. These rider live on the suburb trying to catch with their center city neighbor, but lack of the sense of sophistication and the basic understanding of fashion and style, rather they just wore what they saw on any department store displace window, without knowing if that is really an appropriate combination.

At the same time, I also saw a lot more traditional clothing from the bygone Mao era that I usually do not see people wearing on the more popular lines. As soon as the train came to a major stop, the entire cart is almost empty. What are left in the cabin are all the people looking like factory workers and farmers. As if I just been beam from one planet to another in a flash. Now I am back in 1969 etc.

I may be a little over reacting, until you take a ride with me. Just like the taxi ride or the dare devil cross the road kind of experience I blog about before. You can’t really see and felt what I meant, and I do not expect you to.

A spring day chance encounter in Shanghai Metro.

Are you ready for som shopping fun

This week, you will read about stories of my experience on bargain hunting.

Everyone come to China thinking they can get huge bargain here, sorry, there is no such term existed, if you are looking for the real mc coy. Any brand name item you may be interested in will cost three times more than you get it from back home. I meant all “Foreign Brand” with made in China label is included.

That does not make sense isn’t it? Isn’t all these items made here should be cheaper? Wrong, that is because there are extra sales taxes imposed on all foreign brands by the government. My word of advice is to buy it in Hong Kong if you want a real bargain discount.

However, if you are interested in something short term, and looks good for once or twice while you wear it, let starts with a trip to the Fabric Market. The famous “Shanghaies tailor made label” will be found missing here. Instead you will only found faceless workers from above the store making your measure to fit orders.

In this experience I found that I could bring any clipping from any magazine the tailors will say no problem they can make it fro you. They all told you that they intern in Italy, and know European cutting by hard. That is exactly what happened to my friend and myself.

These tailors will custom made the fake Italian stitching on the suit, and also added on all the details that you ask for, plus the selection of the highest end materials are all available.

The suite will be fitted in three days, or a week, depends on the time that you have. They can even make it the same day if it is required. While all went well and I get my friend a great price for a custom suit approximately $150 USD, and shirt at $20. You feel like they are really making it work for you.  Don’t be fool. My friend wore his suit for one time and the lining stared to tear, that is a very classic case of workmanship. Unfortunately they do not know we are locals. We came back and demand our suit be fixed they were stunned. Never the less, it is still a bargain.

That is lessoning number one, when you pay a penny for the goods you get a penny worth of merchandise. Don’t expect more than that.

Lesson two: you may just want something that is not custom made, what about Sunglasses, shoes, bags or custom jewelry? For starter, they are all made in China, (same goes to your items back home), the difference is at home, your merchandise is at a better quality, and same size knock off shoes can feel different from the left foot to the right. There is no quality control.

You may even try to fool yourself by thinking if you pay a little higher asking price you will get better quality (let say Sunglasses) it will break in three days for no apparent reasons guaranteed.

Lesson three: Never pay more than 1/3 of the asking price to start, be strong, hold your ground, and be prepared to walk away at any time if the seller do not want to meet your demand. There were more stores with the same merchandise in the same market.

If they do not chasing after you for the minimum price you offer that can means only two things. 1. They made their quota of sale that day, or 2. Your price is below what they can make a profit. Don’t act disappointed. They can sense you are a (sucker from miles away, especially Americans).

Lesson four. Always go to the top of the mall and walk down. The shop at the top of the discount mall get little exposure than the one close to the entrance, they are more eager to make a deal. Does that make sense?

I should be a psychology major instead of Advertising.

Never mind that, it is a little too late to make career change.

Let’s move on. Bargaining is not an art form it is a game.

The next story is also a true story.

First rule, before you enter the mall, you should take about 300RMB about 50 USD and separate it from your pile of monopoly money (The RMB). 

Second Rule, make sure you go bargain with a friend, never alone, unless you are a cold hearted pro like myself.

My game started with a friend she likes to purchase some T-shirts, let call her Miss A. I was not aware of it, since I was in another store looking for knock-off shoes. I heard this loud noise outside the store sounded like some argument or pleading. Turn out it was Miss A looking for me, screaming my name out loud in the middle of the mall.

She was hand locked by an 8 months pregnant store owner, trying to push these worthless T-shirt on her, while all the while she scream, “Ed help me, help me.” At the same time another giant of a friend of mine, 6’5 in height with status of an elephant, trying to pull my poor miss A loose from iron craw of the shopkeeper, I thought they are going to tear miss A in half, like in the Roman times.

Got the picture? She survived, and I got to tell her story for shoppers beware. Bargain hunting is not for the lighthearted.

Next scene, Super Ed to the rescue, I jump in, and Miss A told the shopkeeper, my husband is here, ask him. I was told the asking price I look at miss A and say “No” in front of the storekeeper. The shopkeeper turn around and faced me like a hungry tiger, I ignored her and headed to the door, Miss A to follow, but now, the shopkeeper turn around and focus her next move on me. While Miss A follow me out of the store told the shopkeeper she had no money, I control all the cash, and her husband say no, and that is no deal.

You thought that will be the end of the story, and where is the bargaining you may ask? The story did not end there.

The shopkeeper was rather insistence. She follows us down the mall, and waving the T-shirt behind us. I knew then it was time to bargain. I stop and ask her to give me her bottom line, instead she gave me the same price, and I gave her my bottom line. We went for another round. I turn to Miss A and said, “You really wanted these T-shirts”.

She said, “Yes dear please”. I pull out the money I separated on the one pocket and said. ”This is all we had tonight, either we have dinner with it, or you can have the T-shirts and no dinner tonight.” I also told her that we actually do not have enough to pay for the T-shirts.

At that time, the shopkeeper was watching the exchange unfolding step in and say, All right, I will take what you had”. In the end we all got what we wanted.

As for my other friend, he was speechless.

This game was played out three more times in the same afternoon, with a slightly different version. Are you ready for some fun? If you do, come to Shanghai, let me introduce to the art of bargaining.

Hope you enjoy this experience with me.

Chance Encounter Shanghai.

Why is everything in China from business ethnic to booking flights are all against the grid?

Why is everything in China from business ethnic to booking flights are all against the grid?

I had been away for too long that is because of work.

The work schedule in china is not even borderline ridicules it is ridicules.

Here is an example what I went thru in the first and second month of this year, some of us produced video before understand that it is not possible to produce a video in four days time from scripts revision to full production, but here in China that is what you r client expected. As for weekend, what is weekend, or what is mid night. Client will email you at 1AM to your hotel, or call you some times demanding changes on a weekend, they don’t even care if you are trying to get some rest. If you work for them that is even worst, I saw email client send in the middle of the night demanding their assistances to deliver information to me, so you can wake up the production studio editor to make the changes for them in a couple of hours, so they can see the revision at their breakfast table, if they even eat breakfast.

That is my most recent encounter, average sleep 4 hours a night, some times none for two weeks, no wonder I end up in the hospital for exhaustion for some miracle by doctor’s order I was removed from work and ordered bed rest with pills of course. This is no resort hospital just basic hard bed, white wall, not to white sheet and I slept for two days.

Even under those conditions I did not escape the craw of the devils. I was request to deliver yet another script and another shoot outside of China while lying in bed. I told them I am sick but the message fell on deaf ears. They keep coming thru my mobile.

I felt a lot better now after my daring escape from hell. Now I am in the spa heaven once or twice a week to help me relax until the next wave hit in another two weeks.

Don’t you think that is fun?

Challenging is the word. I do not know if it is what I will call fun work. Plus the long hours of cutting and editing once the shooting is over.

While on the subject about challenging. I had another new experience.

Perhaps I am spoil, for me it is a privilege for not knowing the Chinese language well. I have not paid much attention on my travel arrangement since I got to China over a year ago. If you recall my other story on train travel over the Christmas holiday, you know I have no clue on what I really suppose to do.

There is no difference on the up coming trip to Cambodia, I plan to take 10 clueless expat into the Far East jungle in May, and it is going to be fun, since I have no sense of direction even in the city. After this trip stay tune, perhaps I will have enough materials to write a movie script, I may name it 4 days in the jungle survived and return, or lost. Never the less that is not what I want to talk about. Instead. I like to share my experience of getting ticket to this destination.

After almost a month of research with a travel agent here and missed the first departure date. I decided to do some research on my own. It is horrible that I can’t even trust a Chinese travel agent, because they will organize a tour without knowing how to get you there. I swear it is true and they will quote you flight without including taxes.

First I found out that to get to the destination on a non-stop in 3.5 hours flight time, is only offered by a single government owned airlines, everyone else took between 7-19 hours with extensive layover.  Even more frustration is that it lands at 4AM on any return flight, choices of flight time is not flexible, one flight only. Unless you decided that you have so much time to waste and you like airport. Please remember it is not every airport terminal is like Dubai International. There will be no shopping in most of them.

Secondly, there is substantial saving if you book direct with an airline instead of the travel site. I meant half price off and some times 2/3 savings. I do not know why, perhaps it is because I am on the English version of the web site?

Third, in the US we think that economy class is the cheapest way to fly, I was wrong again there is such a thing call the cheapest price, this price is cheaper than economy fare. No you are not flying in the cargo cabin and there are no animals on board, your meals will be served like in every other flight, there will be seat belt and movies, but no foot messages (just kidding), so what is the difference you may ask?

The reason for the price is much cheaper is nothing “new to all of us” because it is like standard for all economy fare in the US. (I do not mean flight delay). Rather if you book the cheapest price in China, there will be no refund or exchange on your ticket. No credit will be given, you miss the flight you loose your money. I suppose they call it a little different than the meaning is lost in Translation still something new to learn.

However the big difference between economy and cheapest fare here, the price is three times cheaper. In this economy unless you have unlimited fund, what choice are you going to take – economy class or the cheapest price?  Just remember, your choice of seat is the same, not your control just window or arils.

Domestic and international Airfare in China went up tremendously recently. There are a lot of bargain airlines, but their flying record is questionable. I am not sure you really wanted to get on one. They are nothing like our no thrill discount airlines. Perhaps more like the Russian airlines, you are so relief and feel blessed that you arrive in one pieces while all the seats surge forward once the flight touch down on the ground, there is no seat belt to speak off, and some of the seats the bolt came loose during flight. The cabin broke into cheer and everyone claps once touch down is completed, and the plane is on the Taxi runway. At that time you are for sure to know that you had arrived in one piece, I am not saying the condition is the same in Chinese discounts flight, because I had never flown one however I do know that they had so much flights and so frequently I do not think they ever turn off their engine

So these are the reality of aviation in china, and new learning on getting through the maze of booking flights. For the longest time I always wonder why flying to HK, a 2.5 hours flight cost almost as much as flying to UK. Now I understood. I will be smarter next time. The only thing that is reasonable in China is food, therefore eat your heart out and never gain any weight, because there are usually more bones than meat in all the dishes. Cheers.

Chance Encounter Hong Kong.

The incidence on bad Chinese

I am back after being exiled to the labor camp since the beginning of the New Year, 8 days workweek is just a little hard to bare, but then it is China, they made their own rule. It is not worth it when the government mandates three days off to celebrate New Year and then work 8 days afterward to make up your time off, that is no holiday at all, some how that is how that works here.

Needless to say the first change I got I party my heart out until 2AM then finish the labor camp with the last of a 12 hours workday. When the weekend finally arrived, I crashed that is another insight into the life of living in Dreamland.

I have been in Shanghai over a year now, My Chinese is getting better, I can do basic communication with my language skill, or at least that is what I thought. I know a lot of hidden places in this city because I love to browse around the old streets when I have the free time. There is really no other ways but to explore by walking.

I can even give out direction to the locals that some time it is better just to stay on the metro to get to the destination instead of the train, bus and walk route they been doing it. That does not mean I do not get lost here. As a matter of fact that is a standing bet if I will get to some place on time without end up in the different party of town, or on a different floor of the meeting point agree upon. That is entire differ story that the one I am going to tell you about here.

I mention that I think my Chinese is getting better correct? Well over the Christmas holidays. I was traveling with family via the train to Suzhou, a city about half an hour away from Shanghai. The local train came out from a smaller local station instead of the new modern station. I did not know that being a foreigner, I couldn’t purchase ticket in the same building as the local. First that is because we do not have a Chinese ID   to use the machine. Secondly we are require to show a physical Passport before ticket will be issue. Third ticket for foreigners were not even sold in the same building as if we were diseased, had to be quarantined to another building.

So I went to purchased ticket as I as told, all went tell, no words were exchange, just money and gesture, and that is where my problem started. After I finally figure out what all the Chinese on the ticket meant, I realize I have less than 15 minutes to make the world record dash to cross the street, thru the tunnel, cross the plaza, up the escalator plus get thru the security check point in order to make the gate before it closes. If you have ever watch the amazing race that it was it was like, except I am traveling with senior member of my family with luggage’s that made it even harder.

The best had yet to follow, to be on the safe side, I decided to ask for direction before I get lost and miss the train. My family I am traveling with was foreigners, and I am obviously Asian, that was just the start. I was being polite; since most of the guards in Chinese train station do not speak English. I ask the Guard in Chinese to point me to the boarding gate and waiting room. Instead of answer my request, he turn to my family, and response to them in English to let them know that being a tour guide my Chinese is that worst he ever heard. How insulting, and My family was laughing so hard almost lost their footing, not because of my bad Chinese, but the guard had mistaken me as their tour guide, next time I am going to carry one of those tour guide flag with me.

Not that funny to me, but then when I told

It will get better. Until the other day, I was at my familiar French bakery the story to my local friends they laugh out loud and agree. I think I should take out their name from my party invite list.

Never the less I though that was just an incident, I did not pay that much attention to it, until one day at one of the French bakery I patron frequently, while I was paying for my purchase, the manager said I knew you are Americans, but you are Chinese also, how come your Chinese I so bad.

By now, I am fed up with all of them from now on I am only going to speak only English to them, the hell with being polite trying to speak Chinese to the locals they just have to deal with me in English until they don’t know what I am talking about then I can say how come your English is so bad for being a shop keeper for expats.

The sad part is that most of the time they don’t know what we are talking about id we spoke on English to them, they knock their head as if the understood, but in fact they don’t. You wanted to buy bread you may end up buying Bugs, no exaggeration.

So, should I go back to mandarin school? No I am not, I have no time for that, I know I can get by 70% of the time, there are plenty of people understood me especially the Taxi drivers, they know where I wanted to go, I suppose all those hours spend riding the metro, learning all the name a d pronunciation of all the stops from the above head speaker pays off. I can speak (perfect) subway Chinese. That is a credit I can claim. I even know the difference in tone and in writing between a lane, a street, a road, and a district. Of course after many late night Taxi ride end up in dark street I had never saw before I learn to pronounce everything correctly, at 80% correct at 70% of the time.

As you can see it is a lot of fun living aboard speaking the language alone is a challenge. Just try to point at the picture on the menu instead, it is perfectly acceptable. Pretend to be smart-ass doe not pay off there. You may end up with something entire different that you think they were. The other night at the restaurant, one of my friend wanted to be in charge, he thought he ordered meat from the picture that he recognize the word pork instead he got the fat and the skin but not the lean meat. I was in no mood to be merciful that night, I made me ate all the fat pieces in the pot.

I am kind of evil these day don’t you think?

Chance Encounter Shanghai.

A year at a glance

Ho, ho, ho, cough, cough. That is the Chinese greeting of Christmas, from smoking too much choking while trying to be jolly. Never mind, very bad joke. Can’t blame me, I am not thinking straight. My shoulder been hurting for weeks because of work pressure and stress, I throw my back out last night for no apparently reasons. Merry X’mas.

Shanghai, is beautiful this time of the year, it is foggy, you can’t see anything beyond hand stretch, cold and wet, but tress on Nanjing road were all decorated with multi color blinking lights and stores all had a plastic trees (real tree is not allow) and Merry Christmas. It is honestly beautiful.

The other famous shopping area Xintiandi is shinning bright with lights that can blind your eye as soon as you turn the corner from the dark street of the neighborhood. Shoppers is everywhere rushing from one store to the other, what is missing is the charity events to collect donations for the less fortunate. But then China does not want the world to know that have that problem as well. All is well on the surface.

Really, I am in a great mood, and why not. I finished the most high profile pitch for business of my entire career; I am finally feeling like I belong to the club usually had their door closed shut. Although the door is open now, I am still waiting for the red carpet to roll out.

My other important exciting event happening is my American parent after a year of planning is about to arrive in Shanghai to share Christmas with me. We are going to have a great reunion on this part of the world.

There are many adventure and memorable event thru out this busy year. To name a few: like the visit of my sister from US with her entire family, they bough us rain almost everyday. My old friends visiting from Chicago, Philly, Iowa and New York City, all with their own adventure stories to tell. My Colleagues from New York City were so frighten of the Shanghai traffic, she cream every time she crossed the street. While my other colleague had an early Thanksgiving treat by my international friends here in Shanghai, plus an 8 hours non-stop walking tour, paid tourist price for Chinese tea, in the end he was being treated to a rewarding hot pot dinner and a relaxing foot massage he will not soon forget. Does it worthy it? Sure it does.

My friends from Philly enjoyed fitted with custom tailored wardrobe, massive bargain hunting at the low price knock off mall, in contract, we also had expensive outdoor cocktail at one of the most exclusive club in Shanghai with a view of the Huangpu river high up in the sky, then end the day with French Oyster and Champaign, and cabaret at the Wardrof Astoria, historical long bar. That is why they were a little hasted to leave this city.

My long waited trip to cruise the Yangtze River, otherwise know as (Long river) was a little disappointing since we were accompanied by thick foggy almost the entire trip. Missed the green color of the valley and blue sky, but added much more mystic to the stunning scenery, a perfect setting for a mystery novel “Perhaps the title can be “the disappearance on the President river cruise line” The climb on the yellow mountain one of the 5 most famous peaks in China is worth every soar legs and ankles, of course I did not do it, I too the cable care up the mountain instead.

I had two back to back trip to Italy in April, one for business and the other one to attend my good friend’s Italian wedding, which is a daylong celebration into the night, start at 9 in the morning for church service than head to the country house for a real movie setting Italian country wedding. Food everywhere, free flow of Champaign and wine I was in heaven for the day. The head to my most beloved city of Florence for 10 days holiday and in the Tuscany country with the love of my life make this life well worth living, except no proposal, a too old and too late for that game now.

I went into reality check in Oct while taking a trip to the near by city of Hangzhou. During the ten days National holiday thought I would go to the near by city famous for her silk, dragon well tea and the tranquility of the famous West lake for some R&R. Instead I encounter, pollution, dust from constructions, traffic and human jam. I got lost in the forest around the lake, and the moon is already high up in the night sky, but I hear real owl for the first time in my life. Thanks God I did made my way home and had a foot massage in the hotel, while the madam tried to pawn her worker’s service on me.

When there is a holiday in China, forget about traveling in the country. You will not be able to get to anywhere nor able to get out of the country without paying triple on any fare, if you can even get a ticket to go anywhere.

While I am a little close to home, Hong Kong, I been visiting there a lot more than usual. Although Hong Kong is a beautiful city, but I have no friends there, my visit including food and more food. 4 times a day of duck stuffing style, (or turkey), then sleep the night away. It may be heaven for some of you, not my cup of tea. These are just an overview of some of the more major events through out this year. Since I am also in the international party circuit, I had about 4 parties a week and endless trip to restaurants and get together with friends.

However life here is very real, not just parties, if you want an expat life, you need to learn how to live a balance life style. I never expect this assignment will turn into a life of adventure. I thought I came here work hard for a year or two then go. Instead I found myself entering the most exciting chapter of my life both in professionally and personally, made many valuable international friendship along the way as well.

At the end of 2012, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year. No matter where you are. Enjoy your life. Found peace within yourself and happiness will follow. Hope your adventure is as fun fill as mine.

Love always from fare away corner of the world in a city call Shanghai, stars shin bright above, although bright light of the city drowned out most of her twinkles until 11PM at night, when the light of the city being force to turn off, then once again heaven belongs to the little stars.

 Be strong. Shrine on. 2013 belongs to you.

Never Ending Surprises in Shanghai

Dec 2012

Well it is official I have been here for over year now. I feel like I experienced a lot of new things, and most of my friends that came here think that I am fitting in better, and laugh loud about me behind my back. Never let the obvious fool you, there are so many hidden customs I know nothing about.

Just the other way, I went to dinner with a friend who is here learning Chinese from Switzerland, the university he went to is actually a little out of the beaten path, although the distance is approximately the same as on the subway from midtown Manhattan to flushing. However here in Shanghai our metro is rather fast, therefore taking a 45minutes metro ride is a long ride and eternality for some.

I got there in decent time consider it is raining, it will take me twice as long to travel the same distance if I travel by Taxi. My friend was excited to see me, he wanted to show me his school, the massive driving range converted from a 1920 soccer stadium, walk a little of his neighborhood before we head to a the infamous soup restaurant that was famous for their soups that were cook in a clay pot inside another giant jar with hot water over fire. The best I can describe is was that we are having steam soup that took 10 hours to cook. Was that supposed to be good? I can’t tell you.

We arrive at 8:30, they told us the restaurant is closing and there is no soup and we were the only table. We left disappointed and in disbelieve. In this mega modern city like Shanghai on a week nigh, restaurant close at 8:30? Normally I am still at work.

We decided to try our luck in another mega restaurant located inside a hotel complex, when we arrive they told us the kitchen was closed, but we pleaded, and they finally told us that, the stove is still on, they will serve us whatever they can come up with. (Left over I suppose), But there will be no rice for our meal, and most dishes on the menu were not available. What is that? Do I have to pay too? It was raining outside I am tire, and I am hungry, so whatever I can get is fine for now.

I am lucky, I live in the center of the city, where a lot of the foreigner lives, our restaurants there open till 11PM, 9PM closing time is unheard of. It is news to me.

Another surprise happened that night as well. When dinner was done, yes, bill paid, they make us. It was almost 10:30 then, time to go home. As I approach the metro station, it seems a little dark to me. My friend told me, that I might have missed the last train, I said “ What” It is 10:3 0, how could it be? That was the truth. Some line close at 10:30, and the other stop running by 11PM completely. I was in shock. That was another “ NEW” experience to me.

That is not all, the soup restaurant I told you earlier, I went back to the same restaurant at a different location in the center of the city on a Friday evening at 7PM, I thought I could be in better luck this time, since this location is in the center of a popular shopping district and it is 7PM on a Friday evening. I got a table no problem, the restaurant is not that pack, but busy. I feel lucky I know I will get to try their famous soup this time. Yum, Yum. How wrong was I. When we finally decided and ready to order, the same thing happened again. Item by items, pot of soup by pot of soups, they told us it was sold out. How could it be? It is 7PM. What time these people eat dinner?

As you know, I am pretending to be a local Chinese, although I utter a single word, they knew I am a fake. I started telling them a half make up story about 3 times in the same week to patronize their restaurant, (exaggerated a little here). I travel all over the city; the same thing happened everywhere, every time, ran out of soup. I told them I am writing for a foodie magazine, it is definitely going to be a bad review for them. I also told them I would have left just like the last couple of times before, but I am too tire to move, just bring me whatever, I will not come back ever. Well, I was getting notice, people are watching, so I was encouraged and starting started the hand waving routine like all the Chinese do. The next thing I knew the manager came over with three coupons, each worth 100rmb as peace offering, told me I could use it on the same night. He also gave me a private number and told me to call next time whenever I wanted to come in to make special reservation, they will save a pot of soup for me. Otherwise it is the policy that no reservation is taken. “Well” I said, “In that case, bring me and my friend a beer and also bring that expensive cold dish as well”. All is settled then, I thought, until…

Let’s just stop here OK; otherwise I need another whole blog just to talk about them. Perhaps I should invite you there on your next visits.

Chance Encounter Shanghai