Shanghaied!!! The People, Their Business and Their Shopping - Part 2

The People:
Alright. Well the Chinese have never been known to be the friendliest of people on this good Earth, and I can pretty much attest to that. A few observations about manners in China:

1. Bumping or shoving past or into people is not considered rude.
2. Talking in a loud voice (and they talk really LOUD) is not considered rude.
3. Spitting in open view is not considered rude.
4. Arguing is encouraged.
5. Being a wisearse smart alec is encouraged.
6. Its nothing personal, its business!
7. While driving, sudden and rapid lane changes are encouraged (in fact, judging by the traffic, it is often a necessary maneuver).
8. Smiling is NOT encouraged (everybody looks kinda grouchy in China, even the pretty girl at the counter).
9. If thanked by customer, ignore. If argued at by customer, argue back (see 4).

So yeah...China has quite a way more to go in the manners and service sector. But before I start complaining about bad manners I should look at myself first. That goes for all Singaporeans (Chinese Singaporeans especially), cause we have the potential to be just as obnoxious as the mainland Chinese. In fact we are often quite obnoxious ourselves, we just don't know it.

The thing about China is that its so big that the mannerisms of the people are quite complex as well. Apparently the Suzhou women are known to be very soft spoken. By contrast, the Wuxi men are known to be soft spoken (and under the mercy of their women once married apparently). The Nanjing and Wuxi women are also known for their beauty, though the Nanjingers tend to be more aggressive personality wise.

According to our tour guide, the people in the cities in the thriving coastal regions of China tend to be more aggressive and are quick to anger. Its mostly stress. Whereas people in less congested cities or in small towns and villages tend to be a bit more laid back and easy going. Of note, the tour guide highlighted that Beijingers are especially fierce since Beijing is the Capital where all government and administrative functions are concentrated. The city has an abnormally high concentration of officials (including the big shots, and in China if you're up there, you're really UP THERE), and Chinese officials have been known to be fierce.

Well I can't say that the mainland Chinese are the friendliest lot, or the most polite, or the most civilised. Cause in a country as big as China, there's really no shortage of talent and manpower. So everybody's pretty much looking out for him or herself. Its hard to make a name for yourself in a place with so many people (Shanghai has about 60 million people I believe. Singapore has what? 4 million? Thats puny compared to any major Chinese city).

Business in China:
When Godfather Corleone says "Its nothing personal...its business", he means exactly just that. And the Chinese pretty much take that adage to heart. Whoever thinks China is still communist ought to be shot. From what I see on the ground, I get the feeling that China is a personification of capitalism. The Chinese people are the ULTIMATE capitalists, right down to the salesperson.

In most stores in Singapore or other countries, when you buy something the salesperson is quite happy and thanks you for the purchase. Not so in China. You buy something, the salesperson will try every sales pitch and tactic to make you buy more! And if you buy that, they'll try to get you to buy something else! Don't be surprised if the salesperson shows you over to a display where they exhibit their most expensive goods on the pretext of "just letting you take a look", they really want you to buy the thing. They'll use any trick in the book. Flattery, negotiating, bargaining, arguing, giving discounts, slashing prices and the like. What happens if you decide not to buy? Its really quite cute...and intimidating. They'll press you, make you feel bad, plead with you, extol the great benefits of their products. It takes a lot before they finally give up, and even then, they'll still be watching you out of the corner of their eye.

Let me tell you, those salespeople are real smooooooth operators. They make one helluva sales pitch. Their sales talks are smooth, well oiled affairs that have you hooked before you know it. My dear mummy almost got convinced into shelling out $800 Spore dollars (the original price was in RenMingBi of course) for a gold necklace with a singular, rare and hence very expensive yellow pearl, and thats after already buying quite a few necklaces. The sales pitch that nearly succeeded was simple...that such rare and expensive pearls necklaces were reserved only for the Chinese Empress. Smart...appealling to dear Mummy's vanity. Very smart. So why did the pitch fail? Cause daddy intervened and scolded her out of the room before she could make the purchase. Mummy would later say that she didn't like the $800 necklace anyway...figures...

I really have to hand it ot them though...those salespeople were really dedicated to their work. So dogged and insistent! Its hard not to admire their drive and dedication, that is if you don't get intimidated first by their aggressive sales tactics.

The flip side to the smooth and professional Chinese salespeople are the Chinese street vendors. This guys go incognito, looking like any ordinary person. They see that you're a tourist and they approach you to see if your intersted in buying bags or watches and other stuff (all imitations and fakes going for cheap prices). They wip out a card and follow you trying to convince you to come over to their store. Word of advice: If they ask you to come to their home or to some isolated backroom in their store, say no immediately and walk away. Avoid eye contact and walk away calmy. They usually give up after awhile.

Its quite harrowing to walk around and have these guys ambush you. Its frustrating and irritating cause these guys are EVERYWHERE and you don't get a moments peace. I notice they don't usually target the locals as much though, they're probably used to them. China has a big piracy problem, they have entire shopping malls that sell nothing but imitation and fake goods. I visited one and the interior kinda looks like Beauty World in Singapore, old and cramped with this very dodgy atmosphere (if you get my meaning). I have to admit though...its hard to pass the chance to buy Hugo Boss and Armani lookalikes at such a cheap price. After all I will be needing some nice long sleeve office attire once I get a job...*ahem**cough, cough**throat clearing*...

Shopping:
One other thing...I went to Shanghai expecting to see lots of Western labels and brands but was surprised to see very few. They have their own local brands that I have never seen before, so I guess they're pretty self-sufficient where fashion is concerned (though admittedly their fashion sense is lagging by just a tiny bit...as if I have fashion sense...haha). I saw Esprit, Baleno, Giordano...what else? Thats pretty much it. I was expecting to see Armani, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada and maybe even a bit of Ermenegildo (is that how its spelled?) Zegna. Nope, none, zilch, ditto. What I saw were local brands, which looked quite decent actually.

I suppose since China is so darn big and has the resources, why depend on expensive foreign imports when you can make your own? I doubt the regular Chinese can afford such Western brands. The tour guide made it clear that buying such brands is not worth your time even with the exchange rate in Singapore's favour. Because they're imported, the prices are exorbitant, higher than Orchard Road supposedly. So why buy Western brands when you can settle for...*ahem*...their alternatives?

A small piece of advice, when in China, shop like the Chinese. You see a store which is crowded, it might be worth your time to have a looksy...you just have to survive the crowd. My mum got lots of local Chinese sweets (which bear more resemblance to Australian nougat, lots of nuts...and yes they're quite yummy) this way, sweets I doubt you'll find in Singapore.

Phew...this is quite a long post...I'll continue another day. Still haven't talked about another VERY important aspect of China...FOOD!!!