Shanghai is probably one of the safest city in China.
It has to be if you ever been to Guangzhou or Shenzhen 5 or 10 years back.(i heard its better now)
It's not likely you will get robbed even if you are a guy walking alone at night. I cannot say the same about the girl because i am not one, but so far I have not heard of such robberies "in the open"
However, if you are new to shanghai, you do have to be careful of pickpockets syndicates that are quite famous in shanghai.
"XinJiang little pickpockets" are probably one of the easiest for you to recognize them. They are usually
1) Below the age of 12
2) Hangs around in a pack of 4-7, but "strike" alone
3) Have caucasian features (cute eyes, sharp nose)
4) Quite dirty
They mainly prey on guys who do not take notice of their wallets in the back pockets. Their favourite preys would be females with handbags hanging on the forearms. I personally have seen a few times, how they unzip the handbags from behind without the ownner noticing at all. However, they did not succeed whenever I was around. Either the owner noticed in the nick of time, or I pretend to ask the owner something to make him turn her head.
One thing to remember is never never catch them, but interupt their gig indirectly. Usually thy work in a group, and although I never knew what a few kids can do to me, locals have told me not to catch them, as they usually have a few "fighters" observing somewhere esle. if the kid is caught, they will come up to "save" the kid or malign you for bullying their kid(and extort money from you of course).
However, I only witness to the point of a unsuccessful gig, never tried to catch them. So, what really wil happen to beyond me
Monday, November 28, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Shanghainese are bored.
I met another photographer from the states in shanghai, and today he was telling me about his shoot. What he needs to do is to take pictures of people whom a writer interviewed by approaching them on the street.
As he is a professional devoted to his job, beside using a pro looking camera, he also has at least 1 assistant carry a mobile flash to help him.
"Let me guess," i said. "You must have attracted quite a big crowd"
"The crowd was following us! wherever we go! i think they want to be interviewed and photographed too!"
That, is a common sight in shanghai. Whenever there is a small commotion, there will be a "concert crowd" surrounding them. The most common ones are traffic disputes "concert crowds", but trust me, there are more.
Streets, roads, shopping centres, outside restaurants, hospitals.
Yes, hospitals.
My singapore friend was working in shanghai for 2 years as an expat sent by a singapore company.
As we are know, singaporeans have a habit of getting an MC (medical certificate or sick leave) from a clinic nearby if they want an unofficial break.
My friend's first visit to a local hospital opens a new chapter in his MC experience.
He did not go to the expensive private hospitals to get a MC, a local hospital is much cheaper. Somehow, he cannot claim for the more expensive visits.
The doctor asks him the standard questions, but without much courtesy, and he answered what is needed.
However, during the whole process, they were surrounded by a small "concert crowd" since the doctor asked him the first question.
They listen to every question that the doctor asked, every answer that my friend said, and every conclusion that the doctor has.
It became a small biology class, with my friend as the guinea pig.
I can understand people's curiosity when an accident happens on the road...but i am sure my friend's health is not as interesting...at least to me.
Surprisingly, there are shanghainese that seems to make use of the bored nature of their fellow stateman to show off.
Every night, between Jing An Temple and City Plaza, there are people using water from the fountain to practise calligraphy.
They actually made a brush big enough to write big chinese characters, each with sides of 40cm x 40cm (to catch attention). The oversized brush will be dipped into a nearby fountain, soak the fur at the end with fluid, and take out to write wet words on the smooth marble floors. The words will disappear as the water dries up in 5 mins.
I must say, these people came prepared. The words are of high calligraphical quality, the poems they chosed are of famous chinese poets, and they make sure everyone sees the big brush.
It's not hard to get a "concert crowd" every night, especially when there are 4-5 calligraphers "practising".
Sometimes, even I cannot resist the temptation of stopping, squeezing into the crowds and see what they wrote.
After a few episodes, I had a crazy idea.
I would make such a big brush, dip into the fountain, and start writing on these marble floors too.
Never mind that I never had any chinese calligraphy lessons, I will bet my last dollar that I can draw a crowd too.
BUT instead of poems from famous poets, i will write in chinese
"BUSYBODY, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS"
I wonder if i will end up in a hospital, with the standard concert crowds listening to how I got myself beaten up.
As he is a professional devoted to his job, beside using a pro looking camera, he also has at least 1 assistant carry a mobile flash to help him.
"Let me guess," i said. "You must have attracted quite a big crowd"
"The crowd was following us! wherever we go! i think they want to be interviewed and photographed too!"
That, is a common sight in shanghai. Whenever there is a small commotion, there will be a "concert crowd" surrounding them. The most common ones are traffic disputes "concert crowds", but trust me, there are more.
Streets, roads, shopping centres, outside restaurants, hospitals.
Yes, hospitals.
My singapore friend was working in shanghai for 2 years as an expat sent by a singapore company.
As we are know, singaporeans have a habit of getting an MC (medical certificate or sick leave) from a clinic nearby if they want an unofficial break.
My friend's first visit to a local hospital opens a new chapter in his MC experience.
He did not go to the expensive private hospitals to get a MC, a local hospital is much cheaper. Somehow, he cannot claim for the more expensive visits.
The doctor asks him the standard questions, but without much courtesy, and he answered what is needed.
However, during the whole process, they were surrounded by a small "concert crowd" since the doctor asked him the first question.
They listen to every question that the doctor asked, every answer that my friend said, and every conclusion that the doctor has.
It became a small biology class, with my friend as the guinea pig.
I can understand people's curiosity when an accident happens on the road...but i am sure my friend's health is not as interesting...at least to me.
Surprisingly, there are shanghainese that seems to make use of the bored nature of their fellow stateman to show off.
Every night, between Jing An Temple and City Plaza, there are people using water from the fountain to practise calligraphy.
They actually made a brush big enough to write big chinese characters, each with sides of 40cm x 40cm (to catch attention). The oversized brush will be dipped into a nearby fountain, soak the fur at the end with fluid, and take out to write wet words on the smooth marble floors. The words will disappear as the water dries up in 5 mins.
I must say, these people came prepared. The words are of high calligraphical quality, the poems they chosed are of famous chinese poets, and they make sure everyone sees the big brush.
It's not hard to get a "concert crowd" every night, especially when there are 4-5 calligraphers "practising".
Sometimes, even I cannot resist the temptation of stopping, squeezing into the crowds and see what they wrote.
After a few episodes, I had a crazy idea.
I would make such a big brush, dip into the fountain, and start writing on these marble floors too.
Never mind that I never had any chinese calligraphy lessons, I will bet my last dollar that I can draw a crowd too.
BUT instead of poems from famous poets, i will write in chinese
"BUSYBODY, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS"
I wonder if i will end up in a hospital, with the standard concert crowds listening to how I got myself beaten up.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Bad Business Practice (Ending)
The wind is cold, walking back to the bus stop helps the blood to flow in the body, and to the brain.
"How did i get it wrong?" I asked myself and started laughing to myself.
Laughter was the first heard sound after I saw the figure on the bill. HIlarious.
"Are you going to pay for my cab fare?!" i recalled. haha..thank god they did not take the bet.
Threw a penny while boarding the bus, and another to my thoughts.
They probably left already, it's 7pm, it's rare for locals working as front desk to work overtime. The phone call I made just 16 mins and 23 seconds ago was picked up by a male.
The strategy is to go there, ask for my prints, pay the money and go home. I probably do not really need to face them till the next time I need to print something again.
Ususally, thats 4 weeks x 7 days x 24 hours x 60mins...long enough for all of us to pretend nothing happened.
hahahaha
"I came to collect my prints"
I am so glad it's a guy at the front desk. it must be him that picked up the phone just now.
"oh...er...ok...let me find the bill"
"i think it's this one" i pick up that bill that i left on the sofa before i ieft just now
The guy was surprised.
"ok...now...i need to call our receptionist..."
"What?! why?"
"I dunno where she kept your pictures."
"Oh..that's easy. let me help you find it"
"Oh thanks, but i still need to call her. she is the only one that has the key to the cash box"
F@#K.
"Don't worry. she stays just 5 mins walk away from here. please take a seat"
If not for the fact that I need to show these pictures to someone in an hour's time, I would have requested for a courier just now. Now, i guess I have to face the music.
Here comes the best part, both of them came dashing into the office with ricebowls in their hands. any moron would be able to tell they rush back in the middle of their dinner.
She was surprised to see me, she must be thinking i was not going back that night.
"how was it?" she asked.
"you are right" I forced the words out.
"there! i told you. 70RMB is really below costs."
"i ..er...must have mixed up with another number..." hahahaha
She went on to process the payment, I went on to find something to do. so i pretend to check the prints. The elder lady continue eating her dinner from the ricebowl.
Silence slowed down the time.
"Here's your change," she handed me the notes like all shanghainese would do, seperating them in individual notes so we can all see the total amount in a glance. "Do come again"
"I will."
I take the money, take the pictures, and walk out the door, trying as hard as possible as if nothing happened.
Running late, I got a cab and hopped in.
Gave the directions and the cab driver droved.
"So...how's life?"
He was surprised that I asked.
"Life sucks." He said.
"True." hahahahaha
"How did i get it wrong?" I asked myself and started laughing to myself.
Laughter was the first heard sound after I saw the figure on the bill. HIlarious.
"Are you going to pay for my cab fare?!" i recalled. haha..thank god they did not take the bet.
Threw a penny while boarding the bus, and another to my thoughts.
They probably left already, it's 7pm, it's rare for locals working as front desk to work overtime. The phone call I made just 16 mins and 23 seconds ago was picked up by a male.
The strategy is to go there, ask for my prints, pay the money and go home. I probably do not really need to face them till the next time I need to print something again.
Ususally, thats 4 weeks x 7 days x 24 hours x 60mins...long enough for all of us to pretend nothing happened.
hahahaha
"I came to collect my prints"
I am so glad it's a guy at the front desk. it must be him that picked up the phone just now.
"oh...er...ok...let me find the bill"
"i think it's this one" i pick up that bill that i left on the sofa before i ieft just now
The guy was surprised.
"ok...now...i need to call our receptionist..."
"What?! why?"
"I dunno where she kept your pictures."
"Oh..that's easy. let me help you find it"
"Oh thanks, but i still need to call her. she is the only one that has the key to the cash box"
F@#K.
"Don't worry. she stays just 5 mins walk away from here. please take a seat"
If not for the fact that I need to show these pictures to someone in an hour's time, I would have requested for a courier just now. Now, i guess I have to face the music.
Here comes the best part, both of them came dashing into the office with ricebowls in their hands. any moron would be able to tell they rush back in the middle of their dinner.
She was surprised to see me, she must be thinking i was not going back that night.
"how was it?" she asked.
"you are right" I forced the words out.
"there! i told you. 70RMB is really below costs."
"i ..er...must have mixed up with another number..." hahahaha
She went on to process the payment, I went on to find something to do. so i pretend to check the prints. The elder lady continue eating her dinner from the ricebowl.
Silence slowed down the time.
"Here's your change," she handed me the notes like all shanghainese would do, seperating them in individual notes so we can all see the total amount in a glance. "Do come again"
"I will."
I take the money, take the pictures, and walk out the door, trying as hard as possible as if nothing happened.
Running late, I got a cab and hopped in.
Gave the directions and the cab driver droved.
"So...how's life?"
He was surprised that I asked.
"Life sucks." He said.
"True." hahahahaha
Shanghai guys are good husbands
Ask any guy in their 30's in shanghai, and most probably he can cook very well.
Ask any married guys in shanghai, and most probably, they are the only one cooking for the families.
Most chinese gals, be it shanghainese or from other provinces, will at least once hoped to marry a shanghai guy. They work a full time job, cook your meals, do your errands and remember your birthdays.
I personally have witnessed a few shanghai guys, married or single, presenting a table of local cuisines that rivals the restaurants.
Dumplings, double boiled soup, special marinated chicken wings etc etc etc.
One night, after a meeting with a friend with another of my female friend, she offered a ride to send me back.
"You drive?"
"nope, but my boyfriend does"
Found her phone and made a phone call to her boyfriend. Her tone of voice, to me, is almost commanding.
Her boyfriend arrived slightly earlier to the "deadline" set by my female friend. I found out that he is working as a chauffer to a MNC director. My guess was he just finished work and rushed down to pick up her girlfriend.
I can fully understand what it's like for a guy to do errands for a non understanding girlfriend after a hard day's work. I have been there, done that, and never ever want to be in a similar situation ever.
"Hey, you know, i can go back myself. it's not really on the way" I am suppose to head south, they are suppose to head west.
"Nah it's ok", my female friend assured me. "He needs some exercise"
The poor guy smiled with love in his eyes.
It took him 15 mins to drive me back to my doorsteps, for the first few minutes of the 15 mins, my friend ask about his work schdule for the next few days. Her main objective is to find out when he is available to get tickets for her to a fashion show.
Apparantly, he was going to end late for work for the next few days.
My female friend was a little disappointed, as whoever is putting up that fashion show is her idol.
"Maybe I can go during my lunch break. I gotta work late because they shifted most of the work to the night for a event"
Even i am starting to admire his "Titanic" kind of love for the girl beside him...but i am definitely not ever going to follow his footsteps.
"Oh really! oh great! finally i can see a good show!...(2 more mins of describing her excitement as though we do not exist)...oh! what about your lunch?"
"It's ok, i need to cut down on my weight anyway."
Although i am seated at the backseat and couldn't really see his face, i can imagine him putting up that smile with love in his eyes.
You the man.
I began to contrast them against another shanghai couple i know last year.
We were deciding where to eat for dinner. Miss A, B, C and me just had a wonderful discussion on how to execute a shoot next week.
"Let me make a call first," Miss A informed. "You! keep quiet!"
She was pointing to me. My guess was she needs to "report" to her parents and get permission to eat out.
"Strict parents huh?" I whispered to B.
"No...she stays with her boyfriend"
The phone conversation gets a little sour, as I see A trying every effort she can to explain in shanghainese to the other end of the line. after 4 mins, she cut the line in frustration
"Sorry guys, i gotta go back for dinner..."
"What's wrong with him this time?" Obviously B and C are familiar with such situation A need to face.
"He has cooked already, and somehow he thinks there will be males in our dinner session."
"You told him about me?" I thought that would be a unwise thing to do if you are asking permission from a boyfriend.
"No! He just assume there are guys here! oh man...he say he is going to kill my whole family if i am not back in 30mins!" A was going to breakdown soon.
B and C starts the damage control, obviously it's not new to them.
Kill the whole family? I was about to laugh when i saw the three of them doing all those sisterhood talkings...so i guess I should laugh later.
Decision was to find a cab as soon as possible for A to go eat the banquet prepared by her boyfriend, while B and C introduce me to the spiciest fish ever served in shanghai.
Examples i heard are really extremes, not in betweens, so are the opinions.
Some gals swear to have a shanghai husband/boyfriend to also act as a part time slave.
Some gals find shanghai guys not "man" enough, and its very hard to break up with one. the average guy will beg, attempt to save the realtionship or linger around you till you cannot bear to do such a hurtful thing to him. the extreme ones threaten to kill themselves or do some drastic things if the girl wants a break up.
whatever is the case, shanghai guys keeps the title of "Mr good hubby" throughout the whole of china...of course...this is a very general statement. every gal's good hubby is different.
For me, I am glad I am not a shanghai guy.
Ask any married guys in shanghai, and most probably, they are the only one cooking for the families.
Most chinese gals, be it shanghainese or from other provinces, will at least once hoped to marry a shanghai guy. They work a full time job, cook your meals, do your errands and remember your birthdays.
I personally have witnessed a few shanghai guys, married or single, presenting a table of local cuisines that rivals the restaurants.
Dumplings, double boiled soup, special marinated chicken wings etc etc etc.
One night, after a meeting with a friend with another of my female friend, she offered a ride to send me back.
"You drive?"
"nope, but my boyfriend does"
Found her phone and made a phone call to her boyfriend. Her tone of voice, to me, is almost commanding.
Her boyfriend arrived slightly earlier to the "deadline" set by my female friend. I found out that he is working as a chauffer to a MNC director. My guess was he just finished work and rushed down to pick up her girlfriend.
I can fully understand what it's like for a guy to do errands for a non understanding girlfriend after a hard day's work. I have been there, done that, and never ever want to be in a similar situation ever.
"Hey, you know, i can go back myself. it's not really on the way" I am suppose to head south, they are suppose to head west.
"Nah it's ok", my female friend assured me. "He needs some exercise"
The poor guy smiled with love in his eyes.
It took him 15 mins to drive me back to my doorsteps, for the first few minutes of the 15 mins, my friend ask about his work schdule for the next few days. Her main objective is to find out when he is available to get tickets for her to a fashion show.
Apparantly, he was going to end late for work for the next few days.
My female friend was a little disappointed, as whoever is putting up that fashion show is her idol.
"Maybe I can go during my lunch break. I gotta work late because they shifted most of the work to the night for a event"
Even i am starting to admire his "Titanic" kind of love for the girl beside him...but i am definitely not ever going to follow his footsteps.
"Oh really! oh great! finally i can see a good show!...(2 more mins of describing her excitement as though we do not exist)...oh! what about your lunch?"
"It's ok, i need to cut down on my weight anyway."
Although i am seated at the backseat and couldn't really see his face, i can imagine him putting up that smile with love in his eyes.
You the man.
I began to contrast them against another shanghai couple i know last year.
We were deciding where to eat for dinner. Miss A, B, C and me just had a wonderful discussion on how to execute a shoot next week.
"Let me make a call first," Miss A informed. "You! keep quiet!"
She was pointing to me. My guess was she needs to "report" to her parents and get permission to eat out.
"Strict parents huh?" I whispered to B.
"No...she stays with her boyfriend"
The phone conversation gets a little sour, as I see A trying every effort she can to explain in shanghainese to the other end of the line. after 4 mins, she cut the line in frustration
"Sorry guys, i gotta go back for dinner..."
"What's wrong with him this time?" Obviously B and C are familiar with such situation A need to face.
"He has cooked already, and somehow he thinks there will be males in our dinner session."
"You told him about me?" I thought that would be a unwise thing to do if you are asking permission from a boyfriend.
"No! He just assume there are guys here! oh man...he say he is going to kill my whole family if i am not back in 30mins!" A was going to breakdown soon.
B and C starts the damage control, obviously it's not new to them.
Kill the whole family? I was about to laugh when i saw the three of them doing all those sisterhood talkings...so i guess I should laugh later.
Decision was to find a cab as soon as possible for A to go eat the banquet prepared by her boyfriend, while B and C introduce me to the spiciest fish ever served in shanghai.
Examples i heard are really extremes, not in betweens, so are the opinions.
Some gals swear to have a shanghai husband/boyfriend to also act as a part time slave.
Some gals find shanghai guys not "man" enough, and its very hard to break up with one. the average guy will beg, attempt to save the realtionship or linger around you till you cannot bear to do such a hurtful thing to him. the extreme ones threaten to kill themselves or do some drastic things if the girl wants a break up.
whatever is the case, shanghai guys keeps the title of "Mr good hubby" throughout the whole of china...of course...this is a very general statement. every gal's good hubby is different.
For me, I am glad I am not a shanghai guy.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Bad Business Practice Part1
I picked up the bill at the counter and look through it casually and sommething caught my eye.
"100RMB/m.sq"
Wrong.
I was just telling my german friend at starbucks 2 hours ago, that i found a printer that charge 70RMB/m.sq for high res digital printing, and i had gone to them twice in the past.
"Hey...isn't it suppose to be 70RMB/m.sq?"
"Huh? no...er...do you ask for lamination...or...er..."
This girl obviously did not know what she is saying. I came twice and I never ask for lamination on my pictures. She did not even look at the bill before saying it. Obviously, she is trying to play the ball on my side of the court.
"No! since when did you see me laminating my pictures? are you charging me extra for what I did not ask for?" This is not the first time i got screwed by locals because i am not a shanghainese.
"er...no...let me check..."
Ha! typical shanghai work mentality. to save themself trouble, they prefer to talk their way out rather than going through the trouble to ensure the customer is not compromised. It takes a fierce face and a stern tone sometimes to bring the ball back to their court.
"...well...it is 100RMB/m.sq...the bill is right"
"haha...how can it be?? i came here twice and you are the one that gave me the bills last time too! how can it be 100RMB now?"
"but the computer says that's the price we had always been charging you sir...it was once in october...and another time in nov..."
This girl wants to test my history. Luckily, I am not that old to forget things when i need them.
"I remember, and the first time i asked for a courier to my home right? for an extra service charge of 7RMB right? I remember. and i remember it's certainly 70RMB for a god damn METRE SQUARE!"
The girl got a little taken back. Of course, she probably did not expect a guy from a city famous of being obedient, to take charge of a negotiation in her homeground. I got screwed enough to know the rules of engagement in this city.
She went inside and ask a elder lady to come out and check the computer. and they started talking in shanghainese language. The elder lady made her move
"...it says here 100RMB/m.sq all right. and you signed for it the last two times you were here. this has always been the price we charge you"
"ya! that's what i told him too!" the small girl added.
"70RMB/m.sq is not possible. thats above costs." the elder ladies cuts in.
"even staff price is 90RMB/m.sq" the small girl harmonizes.
Old tricks.
Now they have two mouths to sing a duet against me, i have seen this before in cheating tricks, in negotiations etc. shanghainese are really good businessman. they have all sorts of tricks to smash the ball in my court.
But not today, not with someone who got seen enough of such trickery.
"well...you know whatever. I am asking you now, if i take a cab back now and i show you the bills i had last time, which i am god damn sure its 70RMB/m.sq, are you gonna pay for my cab fare?"
Silence.
"we are not authorized to..."
"i thought you are so sure you are right? your computer don't lie isn't it? "
Their hesitation suggested confirmation. these two girls probably doctored the amount in the computer to get some fast cash out from the customers. and they know the boss is not around now, and i would probably pay that extra amount just to get my pictures. they seen me here before, they saw my works. they probably think i am well off enough to not bother about such a small amount.
I am gonna prove them wrong.
While they are still discussing in another room, i stood up and storm towards the door, i close the door behind me real hard to make sure they heard it. How smart i am to choose a printer near my home, near enough for me to just take a bus back(i know they will never take the bet on the cab fares), look for the two previous bills and come back to prove them wrong.
Traffic is not so busy today.
I got in the bus, and think about a new victory to add towards my records of dealing with local business bullies. I would probably kick the door open later, slap the bills on the table, pull their head via their hair to look at the numbers.
hahahahahaha.
I reach the traffic lights, damn...it's red. but what the hell, traffic lights had always been just a reference according to local culture. i dash across the street, i made a car braked. he horn at me, what's new, i show him my longest finger.
I check through my piles of paper. for a few seconds i hoped that I am a much neater person when it comes to my bedroom.
Damn! Couldn't find it. Proabably threw it away. Am i just gonna pay that extra amount because of two bills that I could not find.
Suddenly, i remember. I kept it above my cupboard. hahaha...good memory
I reach for the paper, yes it's the one! The logo is there, that's the bill.
I look for the column "PRICE/UNIT" with eager eyes, there it is.
Printed in bold "100RMB/m.sq"
----to be continued----
"100RMB/m.sq"
Wrong.
I was just telling my german friend at starbucks 2 hours ago, that i found a printer that charge 70RMB/m.sq for high res digital printing, and i had gone to them twice in the past.
"Hey...isn't it suppose to be 70RMB/m.sq?"
"Huh? no...er...do you ask for lamination...or...er..."
This girl obviously did not know what she is saying. I came twice and I never ask for lamination on my pictures. She did not even look at the bill before saying it. Obviously, she is trying to play the ball on my side of the court.
"No! since when did you see me laminating my pictures? are you charging me extra for what I did not ask for?" This is not the first time i got screwed by locals because i am not a shanghainese.
"er...no...let me check..."
Ha! typical shanghai work mentality. to save themself trouble, they prefer to talk their way out rather than going through the trouble to ensure the customer is not compromised. It takes a fierce face and a stern tone sometimes to bring the ball back to their court.
"...well...it is 100RMB/m.sq...the bill is right"
"haha...how can it be?? i came here twice and you are the one that gave me the bills last time too! how can it be 100RMB now?"
"but the computer says that's the price we had always been charging you sir...it was once in october...and another time in nov..."
This girl wants to test my history. Luckily, I am not that old to forget things when i need them.
"I remember, and the first time i asked for a courier to my home right? for an extra service charge of 7RMB right? I remember. and i remember it's certainly 70RMB for a god damn METRE SQUARE!"
The girl got a little taken back. Of course, she probably did not expect a guy from a city famous of being obedient, to take charge of a negotiation in her homeground. I got screwed enough to know the rules of engagement in this city.
She went inside and ask a elder lady to come out and check the computer. and they started talking in shanghainese language. The elder lady made her move
"...it says here 100RMB/m.sq all right. and you signed for it the last two times you were here. this has always been the price we charge you"
"ya! that's what i told him too!" the small girl added.
"70RMB/m.sq is not possible. thats above costs." the elder ladies cuts in.
"even staff price is 90RMB/m.sq" the small girl harmonizes.
Old tricks.
Now they have two mouths to sing a duet against me, i have seen this before in cheating tricks, in negotiations etc. shanghainese are really good businessman. they have all sorts of tricks to smash the ball in my court.
But not today, not with someone who got seen enough of such trickery.
"well...you know whatever. I am asking you now, if i take a cab back now and i show you the bills i had last time, which i am god damn sure its 70RMB/m.sq, are you gonna pay for my cab fare?"
Silence.
"we are not authorized to..."
"i thought you are so sure you are right? your computer don't lie isn't it? "
Their hesitation suggested confirmation. these two girls probably doctored the amount in the computer to get some fast cash out from the customers. and they know the boss is not around now, and i would probably pay that extra amount just to get my pictures. they seen me here before, they saw my works. they probably think i am well off enough to not bother about such a small amount.
I am gonna prove them wrong.
While they are still discussing in another room, i stood up and storm towards the door, i close the door behind me real hard to make sure they heard it. How smart i am to choose a printer near my home, near enough for me to just take a bus back(i know they will never take the bet on the cab fares), look for the two previous bills and come back to prove them wrong.
Traffic is not so busy today.
I got in the bus, and think about a new victory to add towards my records of dealing with local business bullies. I would probably kick the door open later, slap the bills on the table, pull their head via their hair to look at the numbers.
hahahahahaha.
I reach the traffic lights, damn...it's red. but what the hell, traffic lights had always been just a reference according to local culture. i dash across the street, i made a car braked. he horn at me, what's new, i show him my longest finger.
I check through my piles of paper. for a few seconds i hoped that I am a much neater person when it comes to my bedroom.
Damn! Couldn't find it. Proabably threw it away. Am i just gonna pay that extra amount because of two bills that I could not find.
Suddenly, i remember. I kept it above my cupboard. hahaha...good memory
I reach for the paper, yes it's the one! The logo is there, that's the bill.
I look for the column "PRICE/UNIT" with eager eyes, there it is.
Printed in bold "100RMB/m.sq"
----to be continued----
Sunday, November 20, 2005
how to retire under 30 in shanghai PART1
This is a story told by a friend who is a shanghainese:
I got to know this girl in my workplace(a supermarket) who is working as a purchasing executive. Her job is to source and purchase supplies the customers will buy in the supermarket, eg. Oil, rice, shoes, meat, etc. whatever you can find in a supermarket.
One fine day, when we are taking the same bus home, i saw the remaining value in her store value card in 1970RMB. (an average office worker earn 2000-3000RMB/month). I was very surprised as it is not a common practise for people to put that much money in a store value transport card, certainly not an amount almost half of what your maximum salary could be.
I asked her about that and she replied "It's a national day gift from one of my suppliers"
I was surprised but later found out that it's a common practice among people in this line (sourcing and purchasing), in fact in almost any chinese provinces. Just so happens that I was too junior in my work life to realize this.
Suppliers in shanghai, or any parts in china, will always give their buyers money gifts to get on their good terms so that the purchasers will buy from them. this is not called bribing, rather, its almost an unspoken trade practise in the chinese history. Suppliers usually do it so tactful that even if anyone want to find fault on this, they couldn't. in this case, in the name of a national day gift, a transportation stored value card with prepaid value of 2000RMB was given.
"But how can your boss, the senior purchasing officer, let you get all the goodies? surely he wants a piece of all this?"
"haha, no no. the goodies he get is probably bigger than mine. these supppliers must have paid enough to my boss before they are allowed to even discuss the details with me. my boss is not stupid"
She already has plans for her retirement. she is currently in her mid-twenties, and if she carry on in her position now, she will be able to retire very comfortably before she reach 30 in china, with her own apartment.
I got to know this girl in my workplace(a supermarket) who is working as a purchasing executive. Her job is to source and purchase supplies the customers will buy in the supermarket, eg. Oil, rice, shoes, meat, etc. whatever you can find in a supermarket.
One fine day, when we are taking the same bus home, i saw the remaining value in her store value card in 1970RMB. (an average office worker earn 2000-3000RMB/month). I was very surprised as it is not a common practise for people to put that much money in a store value transport card, certainly not an amount almost half of what your maximum salary could be.
I asked her about that and she replied "It's a national day gift from one of my suppliers"
I was surprised but later found out that it's a common practice among people in this line (sourcing and purchasing), in fact in almost any chinese provinces. Just so happens that I was too junior in my work life to realize this.
Suppliers in shanghai, or any parts in china, will always give their buyers money gifts to get on their good terms so that the purchasers will buy from them. this is not called bribing, rather, its almost an unspoken trade practise in the chinese history. Suppliers usually do it so tactful that even if anyone want to find fault on this, they couldn't. in this case, in the name of a national day gift, a transportation stored value card with prepaid value of 2000RMB was given.
"But how can your boss, the senior purchasing officer, let you get all the goodies? surely he wants a piece of all this?"
"haha, no no. the goodies he get is probably bigger than mine. these supppliers must have paid enough to my boss before they are allowed to even discuss the details with me. my boss is not stupid"
She already has plans for her retirement. she is currently in her mid-twenties, and if she carry on in her position now, she will be able to retire very comfortably before she reach 30 in china, with her own apartment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)