14 Ways Shanghai Does it Better Than Paris
Do you think Paris is romantic, clean, welcoming? That only happens in the movies. We know both cities pretty well, and here are 14 ways Shanghai does it better...
Taxis are cheaper
306.80 euros is around RMB 2000
In Paris, taxi fares starts at 7 euros (which is around RMB 35), more or less double what Shanghai taxis start at, and the price by the kilometer is much higher.
Shared bikes are much more convenient
In Paris they have “Velib,” a heavy bike with a super complicated program to register, not to mention they need to be parked in special “Velib” stations. These bikes are usually broken and the stations completely packed which means you need to turn around and go to another neighborhood to find somewhere to park. Soooo Mafan. Makes you savor the sweet convenience of your Mobikes and ofos.
Old people know how to socialize
Dancing Aunties, card playing aunties, informal fanfare… all quite commonplace in the surrounding parks of Shanghai! Old people here have robust social lives, exercise regularly and represent the heart of the local culture. In Paris, old people are all to often packed into retirement homes, suffering from loneliness… sad.
Safety in the streets
At 4am you are walking back from URVC or Le Baron wearing high heels and a skirt. What may happen to you? Nothing. The worst that can happen is, perhaps, a rain shower. In Paris don’t even think about doing it as your safety would be a huge concern.
Dog poop
Shanghainese people are extremely careful when they walk their dogs. They (almost) always bring a piece of paper where the dog can relieve itself on. The paper ends up in the trash can. Done. In Paris… no, poop paves your way like a disgusting brown road. Gross. Actually you can be fined for not cleaning after your dog in Paris, but Parisians never respect the rules.
Convenience stores
Family Mart, Lawsons, 7-11…these very convenient shops which are open 7D/24H don’t exist in Paris. Plus most of the Parisian shops are closed Sundays. Hence if you run out toilet paper on Saturday evening after 7pm you'd better start looking through your old sock drawer.
Free public toilets
Public toilets are everywhere in Shanghai. Sometimes they may contain disgusting surprises but still, they’re here for you. In Paris, each time you need to pee you need to head to a cafe, AND often are required to purchase a drink or meal to be allowed to use the facilities. How the hell do Parisians do it?
No taxi/subway/train strikes
For better or worse, strikes don’t exist in Shanghai… at least not very visible ones. In Paris they are everywhere, all the time for any reason… annoying.
Public Offices open on Saturdays
In France, administrations are open from Tuesday to Friday, around 4 hours a day. And they are closed the full weekend, and some on Mondays, and they take a two-hour lunch break. And they never know who is in charge of your case or who you should talk to. And they don’t speak English (of course).
The Subway
Shanghai’s subway system if faster, cleaner, larger, simpler to use and much more efficient. In Paris you can easily wait 15 minutes for your train before being informed it has been cancelled because of the last strike, oh and you can’t take a taxi either because of their strike… how do they still make money with this system?
No political arguments
In Paris, group dinners can easily turn into a complete mess because of political arguments as a tradition. French people like to talk about politics, even if they don’t have a single clue about they are talking about. Plus they have so many political parties they even sometime themselves confuse which one they support. Current politic parties: Europe ecologie, les verts, lutte ouvriere, social-ecologie, le parti ecologiste, parti radical de Gauche, les Republicains, front national, PCF front de gauche, Parti de Gauche, Front National, En Marche… How can any of them agree on anything??
Geographical Indication
All of the Shanghai street names indicate if you are walking to the west, east, north of south. Very convenient. In Paris they just tell you which district you are. Dumb.
Kuaidi
Getting something delivered in Paris? It will cost you at least 10 euros (about RMB 80) whatever the stuff is. Hence, no convenient office lunch delivery, no fruit or vegetable delivery, no elema, no Sherpas, no Taobao… you need to use your legs and go around the city for anything you need. And the shop closes after 7pm, and they are not open the Sundays. AAAAAAHHHH!!!
Affordable handy-man
Plumbing problem at 6 am? In Paris it will cost you half of your salary. No really, it might actually cost that much. That’s why you are supposed to subscribe to an insurance which will pay you back the fees. But they always find a way to avoid refunding you. In Shanghai you just call any shifu, it will cost you RMB 100 and it’s done.
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