Shanghai is a city full of wonders – however some of these phenomena might be more intriguing than others! Here are the surprising stories behind them!
1.Wearing pajamas in the streets.
When in 1842 the British occupied Shanghai – City on the Sea , they named it a treaty port and opened to foreign involvement. The little village was transformed into a city and immediately divided into 3 autonomous settlements called ‘concessions’ : British, American and French. These colonies had an irresistible impact on the future international metropolis, as they all brought their specific architecture, culture and society. Although native locals had their own walled Chinese city, the curiosity of the foreign lifestyle dominated and they chose to live in those enclaves. Hence, the melting pot was put on fire and the mix began.
The combination of Chinese and Western culture resulted in the birth of inclusive and opened to diversity hǎi pài – 海派 (exact meaning – Shanghai Style) – the root of Shanghai city. It embodied rebellion against traditional conventions and boldness in innovation. Shanghai locals were more than ready to embrace new values, behaviors, academy and fashion. One of the first expressions of Hai Pai, ‘cultivated’ by old generations till these days and shocking foreign newcomers, was adopting the habit of wearing…pajamas! Before the colonization, Chinese people paid little if any attention to their sleeping attires.
However, the Hai Pai meant responsibility to be fashionable anytime and anywhere. So pajamas became the thing, and to add Hai Pai’s bold twist – proud Shanghailanders started wearing it also….outside to make sure everyone around noticed how stylish they were. As one local Shanghainese explained it: ‘In those times people didn’t have social media so if they wanted to demonstrate their wealth they just had to take it out for the audience to see! Even if it required them getting on the bus in their PJs and going around the city, by all means would they do that! ‘
2. Fake collars
When the glamour and decadent parties had to surrender in the face of the pervasive communism , Shanghai people just could not let all the elegance go and that’s how the ‘fake collars’ – 假 领子 jiǎ lǐng zi were born. Their goal was to maintain the dapper look in the truly Communist era, when buying clothes and fabric was quite an expenditure. You could purchase a few fake collars for the price of one shirt, and obviously – fashion conscious Shanghaiers would not wear one shirt all the time!
3. Containers with insects as the outside home decor
In the summer months, you can often see small, whimsical containers with tiny creatures hanging above doorways in the alley lanes. Those are the 蝈蝈 guō guo. Thought to be symbols of good luck, these vibrant green crickets are known for their melodious “singing.” Some containers are specifically designed to amplify these tunes. During the summer months, you can often see them being sold at markets in China.
The Guo Guo is one of two insects depicted on the famous Qing Dynasty Jadeite Cabbage carving. The other insect is a katydid. The sculpture is on display at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan.
