Some Shanghai observations

Here are some things I've noticed lately that might be interesting...

1. Things some people don't want you to talk about. There is a list of them like Religion, Tienanmen Square incident, politics, one baby policy, etc. I have found most educated (and bi-lingual) Chinese are anxious to learn about the world and the world's views. They are willing to discuss most things and understand other culture's styles and beliefs. You're safe as long as you don't say what is being done here is wrong. Of course, that hasn't really stopped me.
2. They still embrace Mao as the key leader with Sun Yat Sen a close 2nd. Mao is more strongly embraced than any single U.S. leader you could imagine. In earlier trips to China, I observed Mao's photo on the wall of every home I entered. His power looms large over the country still today. I was told by someone that where people in the Western world might show their conviction by saying, "I swear to God", here, the strong comment is followed by "I swear to Mao".
3. Incense - Some people use this to make themselves comfortable with their environment and there is someone in an office near mine that burns some each morning. While it would be bothersome to my sensitive nose if I were next to him, I don't see it as a big deal. I cannot help but think of Archie Bunker each morning when I come in and smell it. I clearly hear Archie on a rant about people burning "incest". (Sorry for you youngsters who don't get this one.)
4. Smoking - A lot of young men smoke cigarettes, maybe not more than elsewhere, but I do notice it. What I really notice is that I have never seen a Chinese woman smoking a cigarette in public. I'm told the smoker population is 80% male. I looked on line and found this quote... "According to a World Health Organization (WHO) 1997 study, 63% of Chinese men smoke, but only 4% of Chinese women do." When I asked a young male about this, his response was, "It is not seen as attractive for a woman to smoke". You can fill in your own punchline here.
5. Ambiguity - I had an interesting meeting with a local person who is a VP for a large company and is pretty knowledgeable about how people here think vs. Westerners. His view is that Westerners want to resolve any situation quickly by coming up with solutions to issues and resolving them and moving on to the next thing. His advice was to always leave some ambiguity to any solution I find to allow the local team to have some flexibility to move and adjust before taking action. This is not being slow moving or faint of heart about tough decisions but more about making sure no one loses face in these decisions and subsequent actions. Good advice.
6. 1 Child Policy - Another taboo topic that I had a nice conversation about. What I didn't understand was that if you and your spouse are both from single child families, you are allowed to have 2 children. Of course, twins are considered a blessing and someone with more than one child from elsewhere in the world are considered blessed to have more than one child. (Of course, they haven't met my son Jonathan.)
7. Co-habitation - Interesting to me that cohabitation is not frowned on but seen as a normal part of life for many. I will note that the female's parents must approve the arrangement or it won't work.

One term I did learn to not use here was one that we use in the States for a mad scramble of people trying to do anything. They DON'T refer to that as a Chinese Fire Drill.

I can't leave without a photo of your intrepid blogger taken last weekend...