ShangHai Peg

The second morning after arrived in ShangHai. Before putting on the foundation and mascara.

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I flew to ShangHai last Friday and have been very surprised by how similar ShangHai is to Taipei. Although this is not my first time here, I guess the contrast was more impressive after living in Beijing for more than 6 months. I remember when visiting ShangHai 2 years ago, I was so annoyed by the constant blaring of honk. Amazingly, I am now considering ShangHai streets are so peaceful and quiet.

The taxi drivers are more civilised (some of them even dress in suits and wears white gloves), the interior of taxis are generally clean and ordorless. I was told that taxis are heavily regulated. If you express any doubt whether the driver has taken you to a longer route, one yuan will be returned to you without argument. Your complaint to higher authority might make them lose their taxi license.

The city itself is more cosmopolitan and modern. Oh well, more shopping places to go. But people generally pay more attention to their appearance. The foods taste more delicate, with less salt and grease. The difference between north and south is dramatic.

I have read an article explaining the mentality difference between north and south. There is one quite interesting example. By law, taking a passenger in bycicle is forbidden. However, parents need to send their kids to school with this type of cheap and convenient transportation. In Beijing, parents carry their young with the bikes and policemen would choose to neglect the illegal act. In ShangHai, the city has passed a law to allow carrying a passenger, but the rider has to push the bike when crossing intersections.

Scaming southerners are everywhere in the world.