Culture Capsule: 20 Things I Did Do in #Shanghai | Part ONE

Shanghai, China and my explorations throughout Asia embodies the manifestation of a dream turned into a reality. For the past two years, I’ve had the dream of traveling to Shanghai and exploring surrounding regions. Nevertheless, this process to this “20 Things I Did In Shanghai” did not materialize without situations, circumstances, or encounters that evoked doubt, but when you converge strategy, determination, and perseverance, you’ll amaze yourself with what you’ll actually do!

Start scrolling to reflect on the good, the bad, and the #GRAYT throughout my time in Shanghai:

1. Struggle to Say and Know What I Was Doing

When asked about my level of Chinese, I always say I’m at a “In the Door, Out the Door” level. Although I actually know a little bit more than that of an In-N-Out approach, there were countless times I did not know what to say, how to say, or why they were saying something. My language capacity grew throughout my time in Shanghai, but there were countless times I was clueless, times in which I had no control of navigating the next moment. Because you don’t know what you’re doing exactly, doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

2. Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb at Most Places

Granted I’m 6’3″, around the 200 pound weight class, and Black, I did offer a different presence at the majority of the locations I frequented, a peculiar presence indeed. Being the only Black or only “large” individual in many situations embeds a sense of responsibility to act in an honorable manner, as I am the only representation onlookers or citizens may see. Extreme analysis, possibly; but humbling thought process, indeed. When we act, interact, or react, we reflect some value, ideal, or thing. What are you reflecting?

3. Get Asked to Take a Photo with People

On multiple occasions, onlookers would request to take a photo with me. Each time I often obliged and secretly considered it practice, I’m perplexed as to who they perceived me to be; they assumingly thought I was someone important. Some reports and common thoughts state that such requests are marketing ploys, and you as the clueless tourist becomes a part of the ploy. Nonetheless, these moments were fun practice; but do use discernment if you are to encounter the following:

4. Be Summoned for a Lady Massage

Being from Las Vegas and walking the Strip at night, the exploitation of women isn’t something completely new to me. Interestingly, unlike  Las Vegas, photos aren’t used to sway “potential customers”; in Shanghai, such “jobs” are disguised as massages where make-shift liaisons would somewhat summon you to inquire your interest in such lady massages. At first, I would offer a verbal dismissal, but I learned the best refute is silence and determination to get to your next destination. #TeamKeepItPushing

5. Misjudge the Price Positioning of Mainstream Goods

Before going to China, I assumed that everything would be cheaper and you’ll be able to purchase popular goods, that I would purchase in the States, for a remarkably lower price in Shanghai.

That didn’t happen, honestly, I’ve found better deals in America than I did in China when it came to popular brands (regardless if they were made in China).

6. Lose My Debit Card

The most irritating thing I did in Shanghai was lose my ATM card, this moment really illustrates the downside of getting comfortable. As much as I regret this happening, I learned that you can never get comfortable when it comes to your security–don’t retreat to paranoia, but remain focused on your presence in the present. Luckily, I lost the card in the ATM two weeks before I returned to the States, but this was definitely a memory for the books: sprinting back to my place to cancel my ATM card, order a new card, and figure out how to access necessary funds.

7. Fall into the Tea Scam

Although this didn’t happen in Shanghai, it’s definitely a notable experience worth noting. While in Beijing, the yearning for English and my unpreparedness and possible naïveté navigated me down the journey of being scammed for overpriced $300 tea. An experience and lesson in itself, this Beijing experience taught me the downfall of being so adventurous and explorative; but also taught me the value of staying true to yourself. You lose more than you gain when you’re not true to yourself.

8. Explore the Plethora of Multi-Floor Malls

As previously alluded, I enjoy exploring different malls wherever I travel.  China was no different. While in Shanghai, the multi-floor malls continuously amazed me. The malls I frequent in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, or other malls in the South West are limited to two floors; every mall I went to in Asia was at least five floors. Interesting, as you have to know exactly where you’re going or you have to be down to just explore–these experiences definitely opened me up to the beauty of exploration. Explore, you’ll never know what you’ll find.

9. Admire the Diversity in Chinese Fashion

Chinese style is admirable: nationally, much of their style incorporates elements of sharpness and vividness, saturation and contrast. Even the more, I enjoyed the approach to arrangement and composition–Western influence were evident in pieces, but Chinese influence remained in the aforementioned arrangement of their outfits. From American standpoint, we strive for color coordination, nevertheless Chinese style prioritize emotional conveyance coordination.

10. Learn How to Use Chopsticks

Prior to coming to Shanghai, I was determined to purchase a personal utensil set, but I end up not buying that set, so I learned how to use chopsticks. Although I’m still at a beginners phase, it was fun learning how to use these utensils to eat.  Definitely easier to use when grabbing pieces of food, I’m still thankful for accessibility to forks or spoons to scoop more liquid and smaller substances. When traveling, learn the culture and learn their practices.

Lessons from Things I Did Do in Shanghai:

1. When you converge strategy, determination, and perseverance, you’ll amaze yourself with what you’ll actually do!
2. Because you don’t know what you’re doing exactly, doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.
3. When we act, interact, or react, we reflect some value, ideal, or thing. What are you reflecting?
4. Remain focused on your presence in the present.
5. You lose more than you gain when you’re not true to yourself.
6. Explore, you’ll never know what you may find.
7. When traveling, learn the culture and learn their practices.

Want to know more about what I did do in Shanghai, let me know your thoughts or questions in the comment section below!