Two Canadians' Special Shanghai Experience

Two Canadians had a very special Shanghai experience today. This is their story:

Tired and in a hurry, the two Canadians were standing on the road waiting for a taxi. They must have waited for a long time because they looked frustrated and helpless. The problem was there were no taxis - because where they were was actually a big construction site somewhere in Pudong; that whole area is newly designed to serve as a new business center - something to do with World Expo 2010.

Finally a car came to their sight, but it wasn't a taxi, but a black private  Santana. To their surprise, the black Santana pulled over right in front of them and the next thing they knew the driver asked them if they need a lift.

Everything happened too fast to think again: there in the middle of nowhere they were waiting for a taxi with heavy luggage showering in the dust by the construction work carrying on around them. Hopeless and exhausted, a Savior offering a lift came out of blue!

Into the car they climbed. On the way to the Pudong airport (their destination), the two Canadians were amazed by the music played in the car. They couldn't help but praise the amazing music and they were told that was Yo-Yo Ma! Only a couple of hours before the flight taking off for Canada, they won't have the chance to find the same CD. They really love the music. Again to their surprise, they driver offered the CD to them before they left saying " I can easily find another one here, but you probably won't in Canada."

The two Canadians couldn't thank the driver enough and wanted to pay for both the fare and the CD. But the driver smiled and said "not necessary. Everyone has one of those moments when they need help. It is just a lift and a CD - that's nothing."

So the Canadian business men left with a new favorite music CD and lots of gratitude. The driver continued her driving to see next customer.

The driver was my friend Liying. When she told me what had happened on her way visiting a customer this afternoon, I was so impressed and told her that she had done a great deed. She just responded lightly " I just gave them a hand - I've had those moments - waiting for a taxi in a dirty place, tired and in a hurry. I thought it is nothing but a lift."

Those two lucky Canadians had a very special Shanghai experience - compared to the other Shanghai experiences such as shopping in Xiangyang Market or drinking in a bar in Xintiandi. I guess whenever they listen to that CD, they will have a great story to tell and wonderful positive memory of China.

A little bit background info about my friend Liying:

She is a very generous girl and has a very warm heart. She is a real friend who you can count on at any time. She is one of the volunteers for aiding poor children in the west of China. She owns an embroidery factory and works very hard.  She is from Shanghai but prefers to speak Mandarin.

Comments

[Leona]

Hi,

I love this story. I think these kindnesses happen more often than we know in Shanghai. I was lucky to meet some really great people while on a short visit the summer of 2002. Tks for sharing.

[Concerned security]

Geez, what a pathetic and lame story... Besides, I would never get into a car with a stranger that pulls over, very dangerous!

[mikaa]

I thought the story was pretty amazing. A little unsafe to climb into a strangers car, but then who's to say that the passenger comes with good intention?! It's Trust both ways ..it's really sad how we have become so passimistic trusting others ..

[Brendan Riley]

Somehow I thought this story was going to end badly. I am a Canadian in Beijing and I got ripped off by a tea scam. Right around supper time at Tienanmen Square, two Chinese girls pretending to be students (who actually worked for a restaurant) asked for a picture with me, and then asked if I wanted to eat with them. I was hungry, so I said yes. They seemed really nice so I was happy for the company. When we got the restaurant, I looked at the menu and the food was really cheap ($ 3 / dish). I decided to stay, and I even invited the girls to the meal.

At the end, the bill came and it was $ 160!! $ 10 for the food, $ 20 for beers, and $ 130 for the cup of tea. Be careful people!!! Don't trust Chinese people you don't know who bring you to restaurants / tea houses. (I made a scene and only paid $ 40, but it was way more than the meal was worth!) If it happens to you, do not pay, take a picture of their faces, and threaten to contact the police. They will understand.