Have you read this article? My sentiments, although I ain't exactly in love with Shanghai. Especially her people. Shanghai would indeed be a more lovable place if her people weren't so yucky. I had thought Singaporeans were bad... kiasu, kiasee, money-faced and bochup about environmental and societal well-being. But my first encounter with Shanghainese at the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport taught me appreciation of people back home. I know, for sure, that no one group of eight people would blatantly cut into my taxi queue at the Changi Airport, and have the cheek to glare back at me! I got so angry I wanted to complain to some authorities and take the next flight home, but of course, I was all alone in a foreign city, bound by the attachment programme, the only way for me was to adapt. And that was only the beginning of a whole string of unpleasant encounters. Singaporeans are thronging there for work and business, and for good reasons. The Xiangyang market mentioned in the article is one of my fav shopping hunts, and things are so affordable there I needn't have to keep watching my budget when I go on sprees. The competitiveness is something Singapore can never beat. Shanghai's like THE place to go to now, and it's so hyped up there's a newspaper article on it every other day. I know I'm very lucky to have the chance to work there. And someone was telling me I shouldn't keep complaining about Shanghai. But it is hard to keep in mind the big picture that the city is bursting with exciting growth, when you have to brace yourself for harsh stares and scoldings the moment you step out of your apartment. Sometimes I'd think, so what if the man-in-the-street knows the entire Chinese history and is more appreciative of culture and arts, when he doesn't practice basic courtesy? But I know my focus is wrong, that's only the superficial and complacent Singaporean in me that's complaining. I've never been brought up to cut queues, swear at people or beat the systems; the Chinese have been doing that their entire lives. I'd admit, there's so much to learn from them. For one, you don't always get things done by following the systems. I learnt what they knew their entire lives - To compete and get things faster than your competitors, you'll have to beat the system, not follow it. The only way to get a McChicken burger in 2 minutes is to cut the queue at MacDonalds. And if you look confused or unsure, you'll get bullied, for sure. I feel too protected at home. The city is good training ground to toughen up, that's why I chose to go back. So the next time I complain about Shanghai, don't ask me why I want to go back, ok? I mean, I can't learn how to cut queues here.