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Tips for living well in Shanghai

Tags : property, business, travel, technology, nightlife, events, food, food, expat_services
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Shanghai Expat Forum Index » City Living Forums » Lifestyle Recommendations

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maxiewawa

Raver

Joined: July 10, 2004
Posts: 426

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 20, 2004 - 07:25 PM
Post subject: Tips for living well in Shanghai

Part of the new ShanghaiForum.com will be a centralised 'tips' section. Where we currently have a little 'tips of the day' section, specialising in philosophical ideas, the new 'tips' popup will have info a little more relevant about Shanghai.

The content will be things that are helpful when living in Shanghai, but info that you wouldn't specifically look for: how to hail a cab, the different types of DVDs, the difference between Donglu and Xilu, how to tell the difference between a police officer and a security guard, how to spot a fake bill... etc.

The list is endless.

I'm looking for little pieces of information that you think might help people out. Doesn't have to be anything major. Just a tip that might help out a Shanghai newbie.

For example:

When buying fruit in a supermarket, be sure to get it weighed before checking out. Approach a shop assistant standing next to a scale. She will weigh it, and seal the bag with a sticker that says the weight and price of the fruit.

Ta in advanceGot

margarita

Reacher

Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 291

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 20, 2004 - 09:30 PM

be sure that you ask the repairman fixing things in your apt that you dont like for him to smoke inside the house while working...

another one is dont feel bad about pusing people in a crowded place, just push back (dont hit anyone) enough to open space for yout to do your thing in the midst of the multitudes.

always bargain.. no matter where you are always ask for a better price.

GC
The Ginger Prince

Joined: Dec 01, 2003
Posts: 22189

Posted: Sep 22, 2004 - 09:51 AM

Get a mobile that can accept chinese characters.

Text the name of bar, eatery, hospital, hotel, etc to 885074.

You will then get address and phone number in English.

Reply to this text with a 'C' and you get the address in Chinese.

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You turned on the lights, Fuelled U boats by night, That

maxiewawa

Raver

Joined: July 10, 2004
Posts: 426

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2004 - 08:23 PM

GlasgowCraig wrote:

I didn't know that. Thanks! Any more replies greatly appreciated.

jenming

FooJay

Joined: Dec 20, 2002
Posts: 1675
Location: Right where you wanna be
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2004 - 11:02 PM

after eating crabs or shrimp (with bare hands), nicer restaurants will bring you a bowl of dark liquid, perhaps with a lemon in it. don't drink it. it is for washing your hands. when in doubt, wait for others to act first.

MaomingMaster
Board Legend

Joined: Feb 03, 2004
Posts: 11058

Posted: Oct 02, 2004 - 02:48 PM

When hailing a cab after 11.00pm ask for a 20% discount.
If they don't give you one (a discount that is) get another cab and repeat the procedure.

Most cabbies will give you a 20% discount aftre 11.00pm albeit begrudgingly.

littlefox
Fire-eater

Joined: Nov 23, 2003
Posts: 2779

Posted: Nov 09, 2004 - 11:44 AM

always ask for receipt after you finish the cab ride in case you left your property on the cab or the cab driver tries to rip you off. tell the driver you are going to call the cab company (wo yao da dian hua tou su ni) if you feel he ripped you off.

when bargain at xiangyang market, especially for the newbies, always remember to cut at least 2/3 of the price first, if the owner of the booth doesn't accept the price, go away and look around, there is always similar stuff in the market and someone else would like to make the deal, plus the go-way-and-look-around is always the trick to get the deal done.

_________________
Ah, the ubiquitous idiots...

lancesidecar
FooJay
FooJay

Joined: Jan 07, 2005
Posts: 1631
Location: Hitsville, PRC

Posted: Jan 13, 2005 - 10:55 PM

It would useful if a "costs" thread was pinned somewhere.

skyline5k
Board Legend

Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 10033
Location: is behind you with a knife O_O

Posted: Jan 15, 2005 - 11:00 AM

Or an overall price page. hmm...

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ahtross

Talker

Joined: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 102

Status: Offline

Posted: Feb 11, 2005 - 07:08 PM

I agree.. It would be EXTREMELY HELPFUL if there was a posting which expats could look at (and add to) the prices we actually should be paying for goods at markets, fruitstands, shops etc.

..especially for the poor fools who spend 260 RMB for a "grade A" pair of adidas/aidads/adsiac/adscas sneakers at xianyang

SC3

Reacher

Joined: Nov 19, 2004
Posts: 245

Status: Offline

Posted: May 12, 2005 - 12:40 PM

In terms of getting around economically...the different taxi queues at Hongqiao airport and where to get Pudong airport busses, how the public transport card works (i.e. it is a real pain to get your deposit back!) and what you can use it for.

benkloepfer

PopStar

Joined: Sep 02, 2004
Posts: 1041

Status: Offline

Posted: May 12, 2005 - 01:54 PM

The names and descriptions of chinese street breakfast: different breakfast dumplings, buns, that egg burrito looking thing and the boiled rice dumpling wrapped in leaves. All these are actually edible and can be found for sale on the side of the road in the morning.

A list of medical institutions, their prices for standard procedures and whether or not they speak english.

yuechang

Barker

Joined: Mar 17, 2005
Posts: 160
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: May 12, 2005 - 02:17 PM

Bring your valuable shanghai experience to share with the big community!!! ~~~~

Cheers!

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Life is too Beautiful to Ignore !!!!

itv1980

Low Seater

Joined: Mar 05, 2004
Posts: 3355
Location: Revalidation centre
Status: Offline

Posted: May 12, 2005 - 04:12 PM

Make sure you always have some tissues on you. You never know when you need it

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RRRRRRRRGGGGHHH!!!

olesechka

Rocker

Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 782
Location: somewhere moving around
Status: Offline

Posted: May 12, 2005 - 06:16 PM

I will enhance Ivo's post. Bring not only dry but wet tissues or desinfecting liquid (imported, pretty expensive here) as well since you can hardly find any soap in the toilets.

Henry_Chinaski
Board Lord

Joined: Aug 16, 2003
Posts: 5025

Posted: May 12, 2005 - 11:40 PM

Well....my 2 cents...

-List of free wireless spots in Shanghai.
-Subway 1st and last ride time per station and line
-In addition to the price list mentioned above, there could be a column in this "price spreadsheet" called "where to get it".

Example:
deodorant / 20 rmb / blablabla supermarket / xxx supermarket / ....
hot pot restaurant / xxx rmb/person / <name of restaurants here>

If we were REALLY into business we would, just like Google, AUCTION the entries in this "spreadsheet" to whomever would be interested.
Ah, and whenever we have an address for anything, it should be hyperlinked with address/phone/map(?)

Nick-la
Wonder Wit

Joined: July 19, 2003
Posts: 3676
Location: Wasted on this site

Posted: July 16, 2005 - 06:01 PM

what about a spreadsheet for places that gave you the sh its? We can even call it a spreadshit.

that way, we will soon know which restaurants have the highest mean average of giving people the runs/diarhhoea/la du zi.

_________________
I'm surrounded by idiots.

flying_horse

Barker

Joined: Mar 22, 2005
Posts: 191
Location: Damn if I knew!
Status: Offline

Posted: July 16, 2005 - 06:20 PM

How about a decent virtual map of Shanghai that is in English (meaning up to date & also able to find smaller streets!)

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I like Cough syrup....mommy calls it sleepy KOOL AID!

cherrywang

Newbie

Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 5

Status: Offline

Posted: July 16, 2005 - 07:33 PM

when you espablish a price with someone for something make sure the guy anderstand have him repaet couple times and if it is for repair or somthing major have him sign a paper so you should be safe if after he does not agree too bad you got the signed paper if he start bla bla bla
nanar 747

astromich

Newbie

Joined: Nov 30, 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Xin Zhuang
Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 27, 2006 - 11:20 PM

Oh yes Fidel I feel with you - even your signature, to which I would say
with love time passes - with time love passes

Delta_Shooter

Barker

Joined: Dec 19, 2005
Posts: 130

Status: Offline

Posted: Jan 28, 2006 - 10:21 AM

Never ride the maroon-colored taxicabs..........The Green 96822 Taxicabs (Dazhong Taxi) are the best.

eesser

Lurker

Joined: Oct 25, 2005
Posts: 31

Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 31, 2006 - 05:07 PM

I just found out that the transportation cards that you can buy in the subway stations can be used in taxis. The cabs all have RFID readers in them, and a radio system (probably CDMA or something) that allows them to verify the card from the cab. Beats fishing for cash every cab ride. The cards are called yi4 ka3 tong1, and they're sold at "some" metro stations (or maybe "all", but my friend says "some").

Sassy
LoopKicker

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 904

Posted: Apr 05, 2006 - 12:56 PM

..those maroon cabs are horrible! they are the dirtiest, the drivers all seem a bit off, and they look like they're trying to rip me off by taking the long way everywhere!

pchia1

Squeeker

Joined: Mar 20, 2006
Posts: 17

Status: Offline

Posted: Apr 08, 2006 - 12:22 PM

here's what i would have like to have known as a newbie in shanghai: which convenience store allows me to pay my bills (electricity, water and gas), and which ones allow me to top up my transportation card; checking the weather by calling 12121 (has english and chinese), calling 114 (chinese speaking though) to get the address or telephone number of a company or place etc; that renewing visas for those who stay near Gubei, can go to the Gubei branch instead of the Ming Sheng lu in Pudong and that you can get the visa/passport delivered to your home (no need to go down to collect it personally, just pay a small fee); knowing what the taxi driver means when he says 'xiao2 guai3' (right turn), 'da4 guai3' (left turn); how to spot a fake fa piao.