 | Shanghai Warnings or Dangers | Tips 1 - 10 of 107 |  |
Popular Warnings or Dangers | Miscellaneous Warnings or Dangers Tips | All Tips (107)
 | |  |  | Shanghai Missiles: Watch out for ICB-Phlegms...... | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
No disrespect to the LARGE MAJORITY of the Chinese population, but every group of people has a few who seem to ruin it for the rest.
In Shanghai, beware of the deep snortling of some of the mucus-challenged locals, because before you know it, a huge loogie will be on its way to the ground and you definitely don't want to get in it's path.
I am talking young, old, men, women, rich, poor, fat, skinny, it really doesn't matter. Spitting seems to be as common as people who cut in line or pick (or blow without a tissue) their noses in public.
It is repulsive and a very bad habit that you cannot help but notice. Hopefully, someone will tell this select group of people that it is making a lot of people's heads and stomachs turn - and not for the better.
In preparation for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, the government has plastered signs all over town (see photo) that try to discourage this sort of behavior.
Now the bad news - it doesn't seem to be working. Just the other day, I had do a "high-step", similar to a football player jumping over a would be tackler, as a man casually walking towards me on the sidewalk decided to clear his nasal passages withoug the use of a handkerchief. Niiiiiiiiiice. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Don't drive and stay alive ! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I am fond of risky adventures and actually love driving in Italy, and Rome in particular. But I have been coming to Shanghai since 1999 and still cannot believe drivers in this city. Shanghai has the MOST AGGRESSIVE drivers I have ever witnessed. Period. End of story.
I don't know if it's that owning a vehicle is a relatively new phenomenon in China, but, even I still have not gotren the guts to drive in Shanghai.
That brings me to my DANGER TIP. Driving, in general, is something that should be completely AVOIDED unless you are a glutton for punishment. And if you do drive, beware of the local police, who stand on street corners, highways and busy intersections around the clock, blowing their whistles and motioning for you to pull over for no real reason other than to write you a ticket for something.
Take a cab everywhere you go (see picture), not that cabbies are any less aggressive - becuase they aren't. But taxi prices in Shanghai are very resonable (10RMB for a several km journey) and can be found by the seemingly thousands at any time, except when it rains.
Or even try the Metro - if you're in to MEATING new people (as in - welcome to the cattle car), but please do yourself a favor and don't even think of renting a car to see the city. And if you do, enjoy! Leave a Comment
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| | | | Black market taxis at Pudong airport | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Taxi from Pudong Airport to Downtown (Shanxi Rd.) is normally around 170 yuan (some 17 euros, Apr 2004). This was for two persons.
NOTE: take a taxi from the taxi queue right outside the terminal.
Do NOT go with anyone, not even if they explain that "taxis to downtown leaves from there..." They will take you to a black market taxi (the one I took once was parked into a parking hall... stupid me!!)
I payed 400 yuans when travelling with a black market taxi from airport to Shanxi Rd.
This black market taxi had taximeter, stickers, taxi sign on the roof but not (now, when I think back) a taxi drivers license in front where it should be.
Also, driver gave me a written receipt when I asked for it...but after showing that to the hotel receiptionist, who called to the taxi company , it turned out to be a fake receipt!
The airport area is popular place for black market taxis to look for clients. I have not run into a black market taxi in the city and I've used them a lot.
So, always check that the taxi has the taximeter (turned on), taxi sign on roof and the Drivers licence with his picture on it, in front at passenger site...
Otherwise a taxi is the handiest way to go around in Shanghai. Leave a Comment
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| | | | In the Matter of Money. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
First of all, if you are planning to exchange your local currency for Chinese RMB, please do so at a bank or at your hotel's front desk. Also, do not exchange more than you really need. Believe me, a little of bit of your own money, can last a long time. Exchange little bit at a time. Also, before you head out remember to get different denominations. You don't want to go out with only large bills. Reason being, if you want to buy a small item from someone on the street, you can't be sure they will give you back REAL money or even the same currency. DO NOT attempt to exchange your money on the street or in alleyways. Also, when exchanging at hotels, hold on to your receipt, it will be easier to exchange RMB's back into your currency that way. Leave a Comment
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Although there is generally no tipping in Shanghai, it is wise to be careful of the tipping scam that happens in many bars.
When you go to a bar, girls in many will sit with you. They will ask you to buy them drinks. Of course, they are attractive, and you may be inclined for them to join you for a few drinks.
However, they will dance with you, rub up with you, and do their best to make sure you have a good time. When you are finished, they will demand a tip. Sometimes two or three hundred yuan.
Girls can make a pretty decent living from the tips of foreigners. Although these bars are technically breaking the law, they cover it up by not having a staff list and posting a sign that tips are not allowed. These are both just bogus ways to confuse the police into not shutting them down.
Be aware, if a girl sits with you at a bar, you could be in for an expensive evening. Bars (not the clubs, but the small bars) on Maoming Road, like Diablo and even more notoriously Nelly's are the highest risks. Best advice is to go there accompanied by someone and say you don't want company, or avoid these places altogether. Leave a Comment
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Taking a taxi can be very nervewracking, so walk as much as possible...take the metro, or even a bus...far more relaxing and you have the chance to see and meet locals. Some of the drivers give you a (scary) ride while going around corners and down streets then a fast horror ride on the freeway even if you, in reality, are going only a few blocks away. I did not know, for instance, that the ride from the Jin Jiang Hotel to the City Hotel was not necessary....it was, I soon learned after a short walk, only one block away!! But, the taxi driver took us on a long, exhausting ride....and it seemed, then, that the hotel was a long way away. Only one taxi driver took a direct route my entire time in Shanghai...and many overcharge. The red taxis are the worst while the light green ones are the best. I also found-out that it is possible to walk to a lot of places and the metro was easy, cheap and fast. During nonrushhour, the buses are good...you see a lot and can meet locals. Beware the taxi drivers...and you do not have to pay the overcharge amount....remember to call (if you have a cell phone) the taxi company and report such drivers...or not, depending on the amount. (it is usually 4-7 more RMB than it should be) Also, be sure to get a real taxi, with the meter and the recording telling you to fasten your seatbelt. I know they have a tough life, but the "joy rides" are unpleasant.
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