My experience in Shanghai has worsened over the years – this trip being THE WORST. First of all, people are extremely rude. It is ironic that when I left Pudong Airport, there were big billboards indicating the friendliness of Shanghai city and people. “Shanghai Welcome You” and “Welcome to Shanghai”. Then, I hear people cussing at each other everywhere; men and women yelling at each other; men pushing the old and shoving the young on the street. In the mall, people watch you everywhere you go as if you are about to steal something. Then, when I start asking questions, people give me the worst attitude – often with a node or a head shake. The sales lady either urges you to buy their product or cusses you for missing bargaining opportunities.
My biggest concern is the chaotic and violent cars roaming on the roads of Shanghai, like a herd of angry bulls. I have witnessed several bicycles and motorcycles running over people – all hit and run cases. I personally have experienced a hit and run bicycle and car accident. I was lucky in the bicycle accident that nothing more than my watch was smashed into pieces. Yet, I was not so lucky in the car accident.
It was 1:00pm at the corner of Yucai Middle School, a car made a right turn and hit my right arm. At that time, I was holding two bags of tea and a pillow in my right hand and my grandmother’s hand in my left hand. My grandmother, who’s 79, stood on my left. I tapped the car with the pillow and tea on my right hand. The car stopped. Two men got out of the car and rushed toward me. I asked in Chinese, “Do you know that you almost hit this old lady?” Never mind the car hitting my arm, I was more concerned about the car running over my grandmother. One men shouted in Chinese, “What the *** do you know, little girl?” He raised his arm and attempted to slap me. I blocked with my right arm while my grandmother tried to protect me by standing in front of the savage animal. He shouted more. I was in complete shock by this moment. All I heard was loud shouting and something about his car. I became light headed and faintly saw security guards from nearby companies watching all the commotions. My grandmother immediately apologized, fearing that the two men might become even more violent. I, being a skinny 90lb woman and my grandmother, a 85lb 79 years old women, we couldn’t possibly protect ourselves. The two men walked around their car to see what damages I have done with a pillow, two bags of tea, and my naked hand. Then, they hopped on their car continue to cuss at my grandmother and me. I was outraged and even more ashamed of what had happened. To them, life is worthless, nothing more than a car. Shanghai, the most modern city in China, portrays the jungle. It is a true world of the survival of the fittest. People are mere savages. The young, the weak, the old, and the women are being oppressed by the stronger beings. There is no signs of Confucius teachings of filial piety, respect for the elders, and the protection of the young. 5,000 years of Chinese history taught the Shanghainess people to be animals. I pity those people because I know that they will one day become old and will go through similar experiences. After all, their children and grandchildren grow up in a similar environment and face a similar type of people.