东西(DongXi)
19
Aug 11
Mops
One of the more curious things you notice walking around Shanghai are the mops on the sidewalks, leaned up against trees, light poles and railings. Shopkeepers feel that having the mop inside the store is dirty, so they leave them outside. Many leave them out overnight figuring nobody would steal a dirty mop.
15
Aug 11
Construction walls
Shanghai is currently going through a gargantuan building boom. You can’t go more than a few blocks without coming across a skyscraper being built. Usually after the workers clear the site, they put up cement walls to keep people out. Often on top of the walls, they put up ads, either computer renderings of what they’re building or government propaganda.
15
Aug 11
A pack of cigarettes
Guys in China smoke, alot. Almost 60%(!) of Chinese men smoke. I always feel a bit awkward turning down free cigarettes from friends and random dudes, since it must look unmanly not to smoke. Recently the government has tried to limit the places where people can light up, including an ordinance passed last year banning it in elevators. However, it doesn’t seem to be enforced at all. So tonight I shot discarded cigarette packs, from the most common brands (双喜, Double Happiness) to the most expensive (中华, Chunghwa).