How to Behave in Shanghai
A Wall of Civilization
Just down the street from my home in Hongkou there is a bridge over troubled waters, in this case those waters are green and full of trash, and a wall of courtesy posters. It is a very civil street, having both a scenic waterfront walkway and posters for good behavior. These posters are all in Chinese and a little hard to read, so I’ve posted them here with some pretty solid interpretations based on my knowledge of both Chinese language and Chinese civilization.
- Learn to dodge what other people spit, or be forced to take refuge behind your boyfriend
Carefully position your trash in the field, lest it look purposefully littered
You are here (outside)
Ride the bus with old people
The river is made of steel
Confucius is probably behind you on the bus
The boys will clean up the trash while the girls wear skirts and garden
Men pick up trash while women wear skirts and vacuum the lawn
More boys and trash cans
Be Chinese; Be Happy
It is a pretty good wall, if not a great wall. It seems like they are pretty into boys and trash. Some are hard to understand unless you really spend time here, but I feel like I have learned so much on Xiangde Road; everyday I pass by this wall and become a better man, a better person. If only we could all heed its warnings!
Confucius is behind us on the bus!
Boys do love trash cans!
Public transportation with old people, not without them!
Become Chinese! You are outside!
and especially
Be happy.
