"Two years ago, before I lived in China, I had a four day stopover in Shanghai. Checked in (staff were rude, this matters later) It was kind of cold outside to walk early morning so I took the Bullet Train to Hangzhou to see West Lake (it was warmer by then)."
The Train Home Was Gone
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"After sightseeing I try to buy a ticket back to Shanghai at 6pm, but the attendant just says \"no trains\" and gives no further explanation even though I ask what I can do."
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"At this point I have nothing but the clothes I'm wearing, my phone, and my passport. I see a train to Nanjing departing soon and get a ticket there, with the hopes of maybe getting a ticket to Shanghai from there."
Nanjing Opened The Door
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"The station attendant there says that all trains to Shanghai are booked (much more nicely) and also advised me to come at 7 am the next day. Already I have a better impression of this place."
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"So I book a room at the Shangri-la in Nanjing with my phone. The lady at the front dest upgrades me to a much higher room for free."
Even The Mistake Felt Small
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"The next day I accidentally sit in a higher fare class (business vs first) and the train attendant very nicely explains the situation to me. Idk why but the second I entered Jiangsu its like everyone suddenly became more polite."
One Night Became A Plan
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"It doesn't end there. Back in the US (I live in California), I go on a few dates with Chinese women off the apps and at my university, and the women from Nanjing/Southern Jiangsu were much nicer and friendlier on average (similar vibes from the folks from Chengdu and Shenzhen for that matter)."
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"So now, I'm planning on moving to China for 3-ish months just as a staycation, and I'm leaning towards Nanjing just cause I had a good experience with the people."
The Replies Pushed Back
u/beekeeny:
"Like in many countries people living in larger cities usually more stressed and therefore less friendly, but from your post you are just describing the difference of interaction between 2 different staffs selling tickets. These two people cannot represents their whole city 🤪"
u/beekeeny:
"Staff being nice with guest is normal especially at Shangri-La. The free upgrade is more about opportunity to upgrade because the hotel is not full than because Nanjing Vs. Shanghai."
u/Zagrycha:
"Probably, but it has nothing to do with nanjing or shanghai specifically or anywhere else specifically. Its true for shanghai, beijing, NYC, LA, paris, london, wherever."
u/Zagrycha:
"Big cities always have less friendly people, because they are big and busy and there are 90 million other strangers they need to talk to that day."
u/Zagrycha:
"Smaller cities and non-cities are generally more friendly, because they are less busy and maybe more curious about a stranger from out of town vs a big city."
Other Cities Entered The Thread
u/VeronaMoreau:
"Haven't been to Nanjing, but people in Suzhou were literally so kind. I love it there."
u/Accomplished-Mark243:
"No. It is just Shanghai is ruder. People in Shanghai is far ruder than other cities in China. It is the only city where I got physically pushed on the subway because they were in a hurry."
u/Accomplished-Mark243:
"People say big cities but Shenzhen is fine."
The Question Stayed Open
u/Zuko_Without_Scar:
"But I'm curious if my experience was just that or if others felt it too?"
Source: Original Reddit post by u/Zuko_Without_Scar in r/chinalife, with selected public replies quoted above. Quotes are preserved as a personal account; this article does not present one traveler's experience as universal.