Sleepy cab drivers & Shanghai living standards

I don't mean to scare everyone, but this is another reality of living in Shanghai.  Just as well I live in the centre, although there are times when I have to escort girlfriends home to the outskirts and have to put my life in the hands of Shanghai's cabbies.  I'd still rather buy a car and drive myself... or persuade friends to stay over, move home, or leave earlier in the evening!

 

Shanghai taxis never rest.  They are shared by two drivers.  Drivers operate one of two shift policies.  12 hour, and 24 hour.  12 hour basically means day/night swap.  24 hour means exactly that - one person drives for 24 hours, then swaps over.

 

Tired drivers therefore is a distinct possibility.  I think this problem is at its worst in at night, on the raised gaojia, and even worse if your cabbie had a drink with his cabbie buddies over dinner.  Seriously, it's summertime and it's hot - who's not going to have a beer with their dinner.

 

I dunno about the drinking side, but my friend Daniela ran into the sleeping problem recently.  She was on her way home from the centre, about a 30 minute (45rmb) journey.  When I called to speak to her, she realised that the cabbie had fallen asleep at the wheel.  On the raised highway (straight roads, high speed, and at night, perhaps not too many other cars).  Having woken him, he continued to nod off every now and then.

 

Poor girl doesn't speak enough Mandarin to tell him to get his act together or to pull over.  And passing him the phone probably wasn't a great idea either.  Luckily, she got home in one piece, albeit a bit shaken given the circumstances.

 

People ask me if I'm doing ok in Shanghai.  Answer is, yes.  It's ok living here as an expat.  We live the upper end of life here.  I live the good life as my local friends tell me.  But, I think I'd much rather live the excellent life. 

 

I would rather book a private car than take taxis when travelling outside of Shanghai.  I would rather hire a driver or drive my own car, than trust the Shanghai cabbies.  I would rather have my ayi buy food from an expat supermarket like Jiu Guang in Jin An Temple, rather than the (smelly) wet market nearby.  I would rather eat in restaurants where the bowls aren't chipped and the kitchen staff have hair nets.  I would rather live in an apartment that has excellent security rather than 18 year old punk kids dressed as security guards.  I would rather take cabs to and from work rather than squeeze onto the metro in my suit, next to a not so finely dressed gentleman who clearly doesn't use deodorant. 

 

Sure, these are all luxury wants.  I can't afford them.  Most people can't.  But I'll be happy to get some pay-rises, so that I can feel a little more at home.  Don't get me wrong, living in Shanghai is totally doable.  It's not exactly the Xin Jiang desert after all.  Expats don't have to drop their living standard too far in Shanghai.  By and large all of the facilities one wants are here, and a reasonable amount of comfort doesn't cost too much.  But I think sustaining the highest level of living standard is difficult on a China salary.  And let's face it, most of us are on 'China' salaries now.  Employers aren't interested in your nationality.  They're interested in your language, exposure, experience and capability.  On this front, some excellent locals out-market the expats.