Top ten (ish) reasons why I like shanghai
The taxi drivers are honest, they don’t choose passengers, and you don’t get whines such as what Manila Envelope magazine pointed out: “It’s too far” “Too near” “It’s traffic” and “I’m not going that way.”
It’s very safe. Even walking alone in the streets at 3am. Not that I tried.
BBH is waaay cool! It’s true, we only hire very good and very nice people. Across the board.
I’m learning a new language! But I forget most words 5 minutes after I learn them.
It’s not 31 degrees yet like it was in the Phils last week.
Internet is everywhere so I get updated with friends and family back home. (If I hadn’t had my cable cut, I would’ve been updated with Filipino chismis too!)
Food is good.
I earn a little more. (But spending a lot more too since I have to start from scratch. I only have 2 plates, 1 bowl and 2 glasses so far. Haha. I’m looking forward to be able to give more for my father’s twice-weekly dialysis once. Give it time…)
Public restrooms have toilet papers.
My bags don’t get inspected by magic wand everytime I walk in a mall or building.
RMB is getting stronger. Yay!
Discussing the most mundane things with my Ayi (maid), taxi drivers, and maintainance guys turn into one funny adventure. My charades talent is getting better.
Tips are not expected. And in the rare occasion that you give it, they are appreciative.
Cops are generally efficient. There is a centralized number to call and action is pretty quick. You must get a Chinese-speaking friend to do it for you though. Or you’ll never understand each other.
My art director partner has arrived! You wouldn’t believe how easier it is to brainstorm now vs brainstorming with my schizophrenic self. Plus, Yinbo is hilarious! He has a distinct New Yorker accent and Mainlander accent in one! Plus he is my personal translator and lunch food picker (since I can’t read then menu) and live map.
My condominium block is a small community in itself: wet market, 24hr convenience shops, big supermarket, laundry shop, restos, atm, police, spa, park, post office… and even a Catholic church within walking distance.
I like my place. It has a garden view, a nice kitchen, enough space to kalat but no things yet to kalat with.
I have new friends. Social life suck though, since I’m holed up in the office most of the time.
There are many flights between Hai and HK so I can see more of Matt. (But HK-MLA flights are much, much cheaper.)
Pinoys here are mostly professionals: architects, interior designers, business owners, marketing people. Or in the service industry (English-speaking waiters). Or band members. Even the Pinoy Ayis charge a lot more because Laowais (foreigners) are predisposed to believe they are better, nicer and more hygienic. So Pinoys here, I believe, are quite looked up to.
Nobody wants to mess with China right now, not even terrorists if they don’t really have to.
