Travel: China - Shanghai

[dachzael]

Speaking about the rudeness in China, I experienced it first hand in Shanghai’s Ke Ji Guan - a tourist shopping centre.


While my wife and her sister were busy looking at bags, I wanted to get a phone cover for my daughter at the next shop. I didn’t see the phone covers of the model on the shelf, so I walked off without asking. As I walked away, I heard someone raised her voice… I turned back and to my surprise, she was yelling at me. She asked, "Mister, do you want to buy or not?", I replied "No"… she retorted, "Don’t look if you have no intention to buy".

I was shocked at her behaviour… and due to the commotion, my wife and her sister came out of the other shop… the rude lady then barked at us in Shanghainese.

[floppy]

dachzael:

Speaking about the rudeness in China, I experienced it first hand in Shanghai's Ke Ji Guan - a tourist shopping centre.


While my wife and her sister were busy looking at bags, I wanted to get a phone cover for my daughter at the next shop. I didn't see the phone covers of the model on the shelf, so I walked off without asking. As I walked away, I heard someone raised her voice... I turned back and to my surprise, she was yelling at me. She asked, \"Mister, do you want to buy or not?\", I replied \"No\"... she retorted, \"Don't look if you have no intention to buy\".

I was shocked at her behaviour... and due to the commotion, my wife and her sister came out of the other shop... the rude lady then barked at us in Shanghainese.

To be fair, this isn't consider rude - in the context of China.

Cultural differences - what may be ok for some people isn't ok for others.

[dachzael]

floppy:

dachzael:

Speaking about the rudeness in China, I experienced it first hand in Shanghai's Ke Ji Guan - a tourist shopping centre.


While my wife and her sister were busy looking at bags, I wanted to get a phone cover for my daughter at the next shop. I didn't see the phone covers of the model on the shelf, so I walked off without asking. As I walked away, I heard someone raised her voice... I turned back and to my surprise, she was yelling at me. She asked, \"Mister, do you want to buy or not?\", I replied \"No\"... she retorted, \"Don't look if you have no intention to buy\".

I was shocked at her behaviour... and due to the commotion, my wife and her sister came out of the other shop... the rude lady then barked at us in Shanghainese.

To be fair, this isn't consider rude - in the context of China.

Cultural differences - what may be ok for some people isn't ok for others.

Not rude??? Hmmm... I understand if I had bargained and walked away... I browsed for less than 30 seconds and didn't even touch and simply walked away when I realized the model that I wanted was not there.

[floppy]

MrsKiasu:

Hehe now I would like to check if we could stamp passport at Macau? Stamp 1 time got 'extended' stay of 2 new weeks in China and can do stamping of more than 1 time?

Yes, you can do a visa run in Macau instead of Hong Kong. Procedure wise, same same.

An alternative to flying (as well as a cheaper option) for visa run from Shanghai is Jinmen. Take a train to Xiamen, followed by a boat ride to Jinmen (part of ROC).

[floppy]

dachzael:

Not rude??? Hmmm... I understand if I had bargained and walked away... I browsed for less than 30 seconds and didn't even touch and simply walked away when I realized the model that I wanted was not there.

Nope, it's not rude. That's just how it is in China. You could have yell back if you want to and no one else would bat an eyelid.

On the other hand, if you do it in Singapore, I'll say you are probably very rude. It is also likely that you will have to look over your shoulder in case you become the next social media superstar.

Cultural context:

rains:

I would still abide by the 'When in Rome, do as Romans do' golden rule. When anyone is rude, be rude back. I find myself enjoying my trips a lot more when I abandon my meek and polite ways in places that don't give a sh:t to people who practise them in their culture

I would put rude in \" \" though, it's the cultural understanding that isn't present.

[MrsKiasu]

The other day, dd1 was trying on those paper hand held fan while I was browsing their cheongsam. And the lady told my dd not to do that…which I think a better tone could be used. Of course I will not buy anything from this store and brought my dd away. I asked if dd felt hurt to be told off. But immediately I asked if she were the shop owner, will she do the same thing? Imagine if all people go there and try on the paper fan…


But if browse only no touching and gets scolding that will make us quite unhappy la …

[MrsKiasu]

floppy:

MrsKiasu:

Hehe now I would like to check if we could stamp passport at Macau? Stamp 1 time got 'extended' stay of 2 new weeks in China and can do stamping of more than 1 time?

Yes, you can do a visa run in Macau instead of Hong Kong. Procedure wise, same same.

An alternative to flying (as well as a cheaper option) for visa run from Shanghai is Jinmen. Take a train to Xiamen, followed by a boat ride to Jinmen (part of ROC).

Thanks floppy..

I was feeling quite unsettled thinking if I should be prepared to fly back early

[floppy]

MrsKiasu:

Thanks floppy..

I was feeling quite unsettled thinking if I should be prepared to fly back early

Take the train option if you want a cheaper alternative to flying. G train from Shanghai to Xiamen is under 7 hours. Boat ride to Jinmen is around 40mins.

Plus Xiamen is a very nice place to extend your holiday.

[MrsKiasu]

floppy:

MrsKiasu:

Thanks floppy..

I was feeling quite unsettled thinking if I should be prepared to fly back early

Take the train option if you want a cheaper alternative to flying. G train from Shanghai to Xiamen is under 7 hours. Boat ride to Jinmen is around 40mins.

Plus Xiamen is a very nice place to extend your holiday.

We are within driving distance to macau. So either macau or HK. Sorry for the confusion for posting under the Shanghai thread.

[pirated]

People of certain cities in china do talk VERY loudly. It may be mistaken for shouting.


It is just the way they talk, as if everyone else is deaf

Cultural differences.