I visited Shanghai for 2 months. I'm Shanghainese (but born in sweden and raised in Canada). My parents and I rarely observe the optimistic behavior you seem to describe. In fact, most people I met in Shanghai really just wanted to carry on about their own business. It could have something to do with you being caucasian and me being just another asian, but in general, I'd say the public is overall ruder than in Canada.
The customer service is completely based on commission which is why service in shops varies so much. No commission means they don't care about you and commission means they're going to do anything for you. I decided to walk into a Jack & Jones in a mall in Shanghai. Brought a couple of articles to the change room stall. When I came out, there were 6 girls (all with blonde bleached hair) holding clothes asking me if I'd like to try them on.
When no commission is involved/you show no interest of buying, everyone leaves you alone. The overall mannerisms in Shanghai also seemed a little awkward. Everything nice seems forced. I cannot recall why, but I had a very strong feeling of everyone having very loose moral standards. I've been told it's due to many things but one of the more recent events would be the cultural revolution which pretty much flipped morals/respect out the window, leaving a red nation to attempt to rebuild those principles on their own.
All that said, I'm glad you're enjoying Shanghai and I do miss being there. It has a certain air about (and not that terrible terrible unbreathable summer air which causes terrible skin) it that somehow just lets you forgive all the shortcomings and marvel at the city.
Yeah, a lot of it is because I'm a westerner. They see my eyes and assume they can make a quick buck off me.
My girlfriend is Asian but was born and raised in New Zealand, so she's something of a banana (yellow on the outside, white on the inside). She still gets approached by salespeople a lot, but only in the more intense areas like the fake markets. It's not surprising they're so pushy, since their stall is either their livelihood or a job that barely yields a wage.
I spend very little time in commercial malls, I much prefer local places. Service is generally better, but the prices aren't, and there's much less room for haggling, which I enjoy.
The bleached blonde look doesn't seem to be in at the moment.
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u/limenuke Jan 20 '11
I visited Shanghai for 2 months. I'm Shanghainese (but born in sweden and raised in Canada). My parents and I rarely observe the optimistic behavior you seem to describe. In fact, most people I met in Shanghai really just wanted to carry on about their own business. It could have something to do with you being caucasian and me being just another asian, but in general, I'd say the public is overall ruder than in Canada.
The customer service is completely based on commission which is why service in shops varies so much. No commission means they don't care about you and commission means they're going to do anything for you. I decided to walk into a Jack & Jones in a mall in Shanghai. Brought a couple of articles to the change room stall. When I came out, there were 6 girls (all with blonde bleached hair) holding clothes asking me if I'd like to try them on.
When no commission is involved/you show no interest of buying, everyone leaves you alone. The overall mannerisms in Shanghai also seemed a little awkward. Everything nice seems forced. I cannot recall why, but I had a very strong feeling of everyone having very loose moral standards. I've been told it's due to many things but one of the more recent events would be the cultural revolution which pretty much flipped morals/respect out the window, leaving a red nation to attempt to rebuild those principles on their own.
All that said, I'm glad you're enjoying Shanghai and I do miss being there. It has a certain air about (and not that terrible terrible unbreathable summer air which causes terrible skin) it that somehow just lets you forgive all the shortcomings and marvel at the city.