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How a Sherpa's Waimai Guy Rode Through the Coronavirus Pandemic
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With many of us having been confined to our homes over the past few months, ordering waimai has gone from a lazy treat we take for granted to a lifeline that helped break up the monotony of homecooked meals and a gauge for how the capital is returning back to normal.
Many of the food delivery platforms that we rely on were forced to reduce or restrict services at the height of the pandemic. Foreigner-facing delivery service Sherpa's was no different, and were forced to shut operations for a number of weeks. They have since gotten back on their feet as evinced by their black and orange-clad delivery men once again whizzing around town like a swarm of food-wielding bees.
Hubei-born 41-year-old courier Wang Junbo (王俊波 wáng jùnbō) is just one of Sherpa's unflagging fleet. Having worked at the company for eight years, he seemed like the right man to talk to about how his work was affected by the coronavirus as well as what it takes to be a successful delivery man.
Wang Junbo has been with Sherpa's for eight years
How has your experience been overall during this "special time?"
Are there any individual experiences that stick out for you over the past few months?
The most unforgettable scene for me was the empty city. Everyone living in Beijing knows how crowded it was before. The quiet city streets made for quite the juxtaposition with normal Beijing life. It wasn’t even this quiet during Chinese New Year! When I faced the city, with no people on the sidewalks and no cars in the street, it made me feel amazed and also kind of sad. I missed the hustle and bustle, but it also made my job easier with less traffic! Beijing has come back to life recently. I had never been so happy to see a traffic jam.
Have there been any upsides in terms of your job during the coronavirus situation?
As I said, there were few people going out during the pandemic. I liked the lack of blaring car horns and cleaner air. The quietness along with the green trees and blooming flowers of spring made me feel very relaxed and happy to be outside! I’d rather be driving than sitting in a stuffy office staring at a computer screen.
What are the keys to success as a delivery person in Beijing? What personality traits do you need?
You need a strong body, a great sense of direction, and a friendly personality. I have to carry lots of food every day, and sometimes I have to make deliveries to buildings without elevators. It helps me get my cardio! As a qualified delivery guy, a strong sense of direction is an absolute requirement. However, those two elements alone are not enough to make a successful delivery person. A warm smile from the heart completes the delivery and makes our customers happy.
"Bad weather is always the biggest enemy to most delivery guys," Wang
Do you have any life hacks that you'd recommend someone who needs to travel across the city? Where are some of the best places to hang out between deliveries?
What’s the largest or most difficult delivery you’ve ever had to fill?
Bad weather is always the biggest enemy to most delivery guys. I still remember that afternoon last summer when there was a typhoon with very heavy rain. A trip that normally takes ten minutes took 40 minutes. I was completely soaked! The order was cold when I arrived, but luckily the customer was really nice and gave me a big smile. I’m glad he understood.
When you order waimai, what do you usually eat?
I order waimai when I am hungry. Haha, kidding. I usually order waimai during the off-peak hours. I’m always making deliveries during meal times! What I most often eat is 鱼香肉丝 yúxiāngròusī. It’s a nice meat dish with spicy and sour flavors. If you like Chinese food, I highly recommend it!
Sherpa's is now up and running and taking orders via their site, which can be accessed by clicking on "Read more" at the bottom of this article. If you happen across Wang Junbo, make sure to give him a hearty “多谢！”
READ: How to Use China's Food Delivery Apps for (Hungry) Dummies
Photos courtesy of Sherpa's
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