In the Suburb of Shanghai. It is a different world.

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 chain is really the future of the Eastern country, really think about, this country only been developing for about 25 years. There are anything on the surface seemingly sophosicated, like many of the upscale restaurant or hotel, especially in the tourist district. However take a spin on the metro on different lines you will see the immediate different even for the riders, the behavior and their attitude.

Last weekend the first time one and a half year after I move to China, was the first time I saw all the security guards in action in the metro station. For the longest times I though they were just being there to be seen, just figurehead served no purpose. I had never seen them stop any one or search anyone. How wrong was I.

On this rainy cold mid Sunday afternoon, I pass by one of the business metro exchange station. There it was right in front of me, 5-armed securities surrounded 6 passengers with light luggage search and asking for ID. That coincidentally reminded me that I really should carry some kind of ID while in China. What ever they doing and why investigating, I do not know. But that just one thing reminds me that we are being watched at all time. My friend told me later that they might be from the border provinces. My response is that I thought citizen of China are allow to move freely within the country. They only require visa, if they wanted to go to Hong Kong. Besides how can the securities knew they were from the border provinces and restricted to travel here. The answer was, “ How they dressed”.

So when I get on the exchanged metro toward my suburban destination. I can immediately see the different on the way the rider where dresses. I saw no designer bags, no expensive clothes. If they wear knock off, they were the worst kind, because it is so fake that you immediately that could not be the real thing.

No one will ever wear a peacock color tights with short booth with fake fur lined rings and a bright color short jackets that is too light for the weather and yet carrying a huge Gucci bag; if it is the real deal will cost an upward thousands in dollars. Some man were earing sunglasses in a dark rainy day in the metro.

Young on the train all had the reddish brown hair color by the low quality dye their head looks like cover by haystacks. Fake color rubber shoes in bright colors, and tight jeans on the skeleton legs. I hate to be stereotyping, but it is all so true, they do not know what fashion means, they just try to copy of “the copy” that people wear in the center city.

I also beginning to see a lot more traditional clothing from the bygone era that I usually do not see people wear on the metro that is going around more on the shopping and business district. As soon as the train came to a major stop, the entire cart is almost empty. What is left there are all looking like factory workers and farmers.

I may be a little over reacting, until another encounter later that same day.

After a out of the was amazing museum visits, there is no way getting back to the metro but to get a Taxi. While we were waiting on the sidewalk, a woman in her 40’s dress in the communist era cloth started screaming at my friends and me in Chinese.

We have no idea what she was talking about. My friend thought she was trying to give us direction of the bus stop. I thought that it is kind of strange that suburban people be so friendly and enthusiastic trying to help us waving hands high and screaming on top of her lung, pointing finger at all directions, I started paying a little more attention, came to realize that she was actually cursing us. May be directing to me since my two other friends are obviously foreigners.

This is not the first time I encounter hostile attitude toward foreigners. I recall I mention one time one late evening when two of my female companion and myself wave down a taxi to take up to a private club, since they were all in 6” heals that made it difficult to walk on un even ground. The driver refuses to take us, and we refuse to get off the Taxi, in the end he just scream as us saying that he hate foreigners. I scream back at him in Chinese that to him tell him stop driving if he does not like us, because foreigners are the only one taking late night taxi home, the majority of the Chinese when the metro stop running, they stay home. If they wanted our cash, then don’t give us attitude.

Never the less, back to the crazy lady, I finally can make out some word she said. She was curing us that we Americans are here to take advantage of the country, driving the price high, and make them had a hard living. We should all pack our bag and go home. She blames the American invading China during the revolution and helping Republic of China. My God isn’t that really old history? I am not sure what American really did back in those days. I thought the world were involved. Plus my poor friends they are Europeans.

When I told her I do not understand Chinese hoping to shut her up, she scream louder that when we are in her country we should learn Chinese, so she can give us a lesson of what kind of evil our country did to her. My friends all thing it was so funny and looking at her. I told the to ignore even though there was no end in sight.

Finally a flash of green light a Taxi going to the opposite direction saw us, dis regarding all road regulations, she mad a U turn in the traffic to pick us up. We all jump in thought we were finally saved.

Not that fast, nothing is that B&W in China. The Tax driver had no idea where we are going, and my other friends had no idea the name of the Metro station is, she he just stop there without moving. Provided a perfect opportunity for the fierce crazy woman came up to the window of the car and continue to yell at us. That was a totally hopeless situation.

I finally with my less than efficient Chinese to tell the driver go the nearest metro station, he pretended that he does not understand, and I knew dame well he does, because I knew with may days and hour spend on metro riding back and forth practice my metro announcer Chinese. I knew my “Chinglish” is pronounced perfectly. But he still refuses to drive on; until I finally told him to go to the nearest line number 3 then he realized that I am not a totally infantile in the matter of directions.

Just when we thought we were getting out of the whole crazy encounter the final episode still awaits, when we came to the metro stop, and everyone were happy that we did not get lost, I paid the fare, and say thanks to be polite, the Taxi driver gave me an insulting hand gesture that I finally confirm that it was an insult because they look down on you and wanted dismiss you like a servant. I told me friend that at the station, they told me it was my overactive imagination. But I had it confirm what it meant in the morning with my Chinese friends.

Does this worthy of a blog? How many of you have ever encounter crazy thing Like did all the time. If you think Shanghai, and every one is nice, and everyone seems to understand you. I will take you to the suburbs leave you there, see if you can find your way home. I may even film you for the amazing race. Happy exploring.

Chance Encounter Shanghai

Clayfires

http://clayfires.blogspot.com

Where did computer store hire these staff?

I consider myself rather tech savvy. I know a lot about computer programs and well connected on the Internet. However come to computer hardware and software I usually left it up to the expert, that that is the way it should be because I believe unless I am in the tech field, there is too much to kept up with. You do not have to agree with me, I know a lot of you rather spend an entire day looking for new gadgets on line, while I rather spend my time in the spa. Much better for my inner health I believe.

A few year back, I went to a well know tech place in the city because I want to take advantage of the employee discount my company have agreement with the company. At that time they already sold me a piece of software that was not I was asking for, I finally get an upgrade from them without any problem without know that they wanted my original software back during the exchange that left me without any possibility of upgrade. I did not realize that until a year later. Well then it was my lost. No need to even argue with them at that point.

A few weeks ago I am again to purchase the latest and the most advanced computer system on the urge of my IT consultant that it was indeed a better buy in the long run, and I always believe in that. Little did I know that this new generation of computer is like your flat screen TV, once you upgrade, everything you own became obsolete. That is progress I accept it. My point I am trying to make here is that these stores should have better trained staff to inform their customer what is going to happen when you buy the new toy. In this case a very expensive computer.

While I was in the store, I that I was told the computer is how much faster, better store and performance etc. without ever mention there was no CD drive with the set.

Lets face it, CD is on it’s way out, music and movie are stream from the cloud, if you know where your cloud is, but there are still chances that we may need them for some old music. Just to mention the fact to me, will not deter me from buying the set that I already ordered, but will save me from a lot of frustration. Worst yet, they also sold me wrong software again require a CD drive to install, and it a version for student use only.

First I may not look anything near my real age, thanks to the of million dollar of face cream I had been pile on my face day and night, but I certainly looks older than a student without photo retouching as a real life person standing in front of them. (I meant them, the very excited staffs making their first expensive computer sales they like to take home themselves).

Once again, I thought since I ordered the purchase from the store in advance, they had plenty of time to prepare for my arrival especially they also knew that I am from out of town for a limited amount of time they will make sure everything in proper order. That was not the case. I end up with an expensive computer that I have to buy an extension drive, just to install or use other software. I admire the company genius that came up with the idea. Great Marketing. I wish it was me that is on the receive end instead of the spending end.

Yes, I told when I call the store, they told me no problem you can stream that on line for installation. However for the wrong version unless I can bring it back to the store, there will be no refund.

Lesson learned here, they may look intelligent and talk intelligent, but they are not attentive to detail and will not tell you anything unless I am smarter next time. I will continue to make mistake.

Did you have the same encounter in a computer or phone store they gave you so much nonsense that you go not which way is the exit to the store, for the time being was credit card already went thru the limit?

Chance counter NYC

The most tech savoy and clueless computer clerk

The most tech savoy and clueless computer clerk

I consider myself rather tech savvy. I know a lot about computer programs and well connected on the Internet. However come to computer hardware and software I usually left it up to the expert, that that is the way it should be because I believe unless I am in the tech field, there is too much to kept up with. You do not have to agree with me, I know a lot of you rather spend an entire day looking for new gadgets on line, while I rather spend my time in the spa. Much better for my inner health I believe.

A few year back, I went to a well know tech place in the city because I want to take advantage of the employee discount my company have agreement with the company. At that time they already sold me a piece of software that was not I was asking for, I finally get an upgrade from them without any problem without know that they wanted my original software back during the exchange that left me without any possibility of upgrade. I did not realize that until a year later. Well then it was my lost. No need to even argue with them at that point.

A few weeks ago I am again to purchase the latest and the most advanced computer system on the urge of my IT consultant that it was indeed a better buy in the long run, and I always believe in that. Little did I know that this new generation of computer is like your flat screen TV, once you upgrade, everything you own became obsolete. That is progress I accept it. My point I am trying to make here is that these stores should have better trained staff to inform their customer what is going to happen when you buy the new toy. In this case a very expensive computer.

While I was in the store, I that I was told the computer is how much faster, better store and performance etc. without ever mention there was no CD drive with the set.

Lets face it, CD is on it’s way out, music and movie are stream from the cloud, if you know where your cloud is, but there are still chances that we may need them for some old music. Just to mention the fact to me, will not deter me from buying the set that I already ordered, but will save me from a lot of frustration. Worst yet, they also sold me wrong software again require a CD drive to install, and it a version for student use only.

First I may not look anything near my real age, thanks to the of million dollar of face cream I had been pile on my face day and night, but I certainly looks older than a student without photo retouching as a real life person standing in front of them. (I meant them, the very excited staffs making their first expensive computer sales they like to take home themselves).

Once again, I thought since I ordered the purchase from the store in advance, they had plenty of time to prepare for my arrival especially they also knew that I am from out of town for a limited amount of time they will make sure everything in proper order. That was not the case. I end up with an expensive computer that I have to buy an extension drive, just to install or use other software. I admire the company genius that came up with the idea. Great Marketing. I wish it was me that is on the receive end instead of the spending end.

Yes, I told when I call the store, they told me no problem you can stream that on line for installation. However for the wrong version unless I can bring it back to the store, there will be no refund.

Lesson learned here, they may look intelligent and talk intelligent, but they are not attentive to detail and will not tell you anything unless I am smarter next time. I will continue to make mistake.

Did you have the same encounter in a computer or phone store they gave you so much nonsense that you go not which way is the exit to the store, for the time being was credit card already went thru the limit?

Chance counter NYC

Frustrated in NYC

New Yorker, You may be shock after you read this blog, and then you may not, dismiss me like I am a butler, or you can find out more yourself.

My recent return home after living aboard for over a year and a half I was shock to find out I was totally frustrated in the 24 hours of my arrived.

Let say, how many of you have cell phone?

What about computer?

Have you ever took a second to know what it take to get connected to the internet, or you just do not care, because it just works as long as it is charged, and you pay your phone bill.

If you have never set foot on any foreign soil, and I do not meant the farm in Iowa; do you know how SIM card works? Lets put it his way; our great American phone corporations were holding all American hostage and you know who they are.

They are the company you spend one quarter of your paycheck so that you can get connected, and you do not even own any of their company stock. Just a black hole you dump your cash monthly.

Never the less, all foreign phone are luckily unlocked, that meant we can go any where in the world using the same phone, buy a SIM card at the landing airports welcome or tourist information center, vala, you are connected. But not when you have a US phone that will that work.

Too much information on technology, I know you are smart so you know what I meant, making the long story short, upon my arrival, I saw a very attractive new welcome and tourist center as soon as I existed from the immigration services. I was just thinking the old dusty JFK airport finally getting a facelift and catching up with the world greatest airport.

As I approached the information service, they told me SIM card were in the dispenser machine. I should have known better it is United States after all. However the question is which one, there a at least 6 different SIM card, and the others are all phone card, if you are not careful you buy a prepaid phone card instead.

I went back to the information desk to clarify which one to buy, and if all the SIM cards are 3G. That is the trick it must be 3G or they do not work well. They told me they are all OK and it works. Still have doubt I went to another store, they said the same thing, they are all the same price I purchased one after all everyone gave me the same story and it was 6AM, after a long flight from Asia and a red eye cross country, I just wanted to get to the hotel and rest.

An hour later after some needed shut eye, I proceed to install the SIM card, it is just as easy as open up an can of sardine, because after all the experience does smell like a can of rotten sardine. The phone just keeps on idling and nothing works. I am not getting any messages. That is funny, I specify ask for an international card with Internet access. After further investigation, I finally realized that it is a WIFI SIM card.

What is this, who use WIFI SIM card/ do you know what that means?

There are many places in New York do have WIFI access, that means you can use your computer there, but even in Starbuck coffee you need a password.  You ever try to find Internet connection to use your phone? Why do they even sell that anyway? Everyone have 3G or 4G on their phone.  I was furious why sell WIFI SIM card that is literally useless.

Never the less, I finally got some information on which company issue the card and planning on going there to demand a refund. Good luck with that.

For the time being the very helpful hotel concierge is giving incomplete information on where to find the store near by without telling me a visitors that the store is hidden and not easy to find. After many rounds of returning to the hotel and go about again; because I do not have GPS, because my phone is not working, and I get no email again, my SIM card is not working. I finally found the store.

The better story began by telling me that although the phone company issued the card, but they are not the same as one you can get in the store. In order to get one in the store with 3G accesses, I have top pay for a contract, so they show me the menu.

Good salesman, but I am no fool either, first I told them, I am a New Yorker, living aboard, I know all the tricks of their trade, I only need a SIM card, I am willing to swallow my pride, took the losses and purchase a new one from them. But that is not possible they told me, company policy, no contract. No sale. Well I am s_ _ _ _ ed end of story.

Well phone companies, I will get my revenge; I will blog about this for the world to know you ripe people off. In the end, I have to buy a new SIM card, this time with 3G accesses more expensive than the one at the airport anyway, I also had to buy a one-month contract, just to activate my card. I can’t mention their name however if you sign up to my blog on the Internet, I will email you who they are, that is my sell pitch to you.

Do you think the visitor should sell on 3G SIM card? I travel to many cities in the world I had never encounter such a mess before, perhaps I should report them to the convention and visitors bureau. That is a horrible practice by using helpless tourist as guinea pig for target practice.

Chance Encounter NYC.