Shanghai 24/7 and comfortable

We all hear and witness China working 24/7, and yes, it's true.

If you don't do the job right away, someone else will. One guy we met talked about how you may not see your child much but you're doing it for her. But China -- and Shanghai -- are much more complex than that.

At left, two men in their pajamas around 4PM in a neighborhood just north of our hotel, very close to where Scarlett grew up.

Scarlett told me it's fairly common, but I had to see it to believe it. Being comfortable is important -- even if you are on you're busy and on your way.

Tuesday lessons learned

Final days of interviews -- legal counsel, brand consultant -- both generous with advice and wisdom. At left is how to write 1, 2, 3, 4. The numbers build which is cool and sensible.

Late in the afternoon, while Lin began some ethnography research in the homes of Chinese moms, the 3 of us did some consumption 'research' at Yu Garden, followed by a dinner and walk on the famous Bund. Ended the night at the famous Peace Hotel with jazz.

New gleanings from daily living in the commercial hub:

• You can get in a cab before the person leaving gets out.
• Drivers, the dotted line in the middle of the road is merely a suggestion.
• You can haggle most places. If unsure, just ask if you can haggle. If you must haggle, have Scarlett do it for you. They pay her to take things.
  
• You can wear your pajamas out of the house -- whether it's shopping or a walk on the Bund.
• If you stand very still, a crowd might form. The Chinese love crowds and joining in. This is very good for marketing.
  

From great build to great wall

Olympic Stadium in Beijing looking amazing. Having hired a car, we stopped here briefly to check on construction. Called the "bird's nest" the design is bold, big and, well, big. Actually, I think it's so on schedule that J&J should expect the Olympic Games to start in 2007.





Then, Amanda and I set off for The Great Wall of China -- the Mu Tian Wu section. Less tourist-y too. Nothing against foreigners, however, --a.k.a. la-weh ("outsiders") - we sure see lots of them.

You hike up the mountain (or tram) and then wander among the wall, defending China against the Mongrel Hordes. Genghis Khan is no match for Shaka Kahn. It's stunning and breathtaking. There's a slalom to take down too, with music blaring as you go down. Less opera and according to Amanda, more Celion Dione.

Drive back to the airport for a return to Shanghai. Tomorrow is Monday, and Scarlett says I have to go back to work.

A few steps away to a few centuries back

Amanda and I visit Forbidden City and Tianneman Square. On our way, we have a detour with student artists and visit their studio. Learn about student art life, meanings of certain colors (White=purity; Red=love and good luck; Blue=friendship; Yellow=romance) and an odd stereotype: 70% of male student paint landscapes and women paint portraits and flowers?!!?

Amanda honors them by buying work from each one -- I dishonor my country by choosing just one piece from one.

On the way into the Forbidden City itself, a young wants a picture taken with lovely Amanda — a small child gives me the finger.

Yes, there is a Starbucks inside The Forbidden City. Afraid of unfiltered ice, so have to buy a double macchiatto despite the hot weather.

Too bad the Last Emperor wasn't here to interview. I bet he would've had some input for the web site we're building.

Present your business card with both hands

Thursday's back-to-back interviews were at Johnson & Johnson's campus just outside the city of Shanghai.

Great day of interviews, including with Jesse Wu, International Vice President, Johnson & Johnson (China) Investment, Ltd. (at left)

Learned tons from Jesse and other key stakeholders -- not telling you here ;-)

Also enjoyed a lunch in the company cafeteria which is free (beating our $6 lunch for all four of us the day before in town), though without drinks (apparently, drinks aren't good for digestion with food; one has soup).

Things are not always as they appear

At the close of the second day of intense interviews with operating companies and two physicians, this is the things-aren't-always-as-they-appear-entry.

Some examples:

• Pain killer's aren't big, but cold medicine is. (Unlike the US, one toughs out a headache but treats a cold.)
• Coca-Cola means (loosely) "Possibly tasty, could be happy."
• Clean & Clear means (loosely) "Could be cute, could be pretty."
• Audi is a government car.
• Mini is a mistress car.
• Dragons do NOT fight evil spirits (apologies to whomever I told that; dragons do, however, represent power/king which is pretty good)
  

Stealth shopping in middle-class neighborhood pharmacies plus superb team dinner at Laris Restaurant on the Bund.

Leaving at 7.30 a.m. for 1.5 hour trip to tomorrow's interviews all day outside Shanghai. Then off to Beijing tomorrow evening.

Acuvue in China

We see some J&J brands advertised in Shanghai -- Lin found a sponsored magazine section for Johnson's that was quite nice; this is an Acuvue out-of-home ad in a very central location.

We also have pics of store aisles for which we had to cover deep undercover. Visit my flickr photos to browse through them.