Shanghai: Overhyped or Am I Missing Something? #chinatravel

[Velma Thompson]

Sure, no problem! These tags seem quite everyday, so I'll translate them into something that feels more like what we usually discuss on forums while also making it easier for foreign friends to understand the intended meaning:

• #Today's Random Chat
  • This sounds more conversational among friends than "Daily Topic", representing a casual start to a discussion.
• #Struggling in Big City or #City Experience Check-In Diary
  • "Big City Life" feels too formal. The word "struggle" when used with the Chinese character “漂,” depicts the feeling of working hard or wandering around in the big city vividly, though it might require clarification for foreigners: "working hard / wandering in big cities".
  • Or use "Experience Check-In Diary," which is now quite trendy. It means documenting places visited and experiences, helping foreign friends understand they can "check-in & document my city life".
• #Feeling Like Sharing Something or #Casual Life Journal
  • "Just want to record" is honest and real. Changing to "Feeling like sharing something" renders it even more spoken, with an idea of: "Nothing major, just want to share."
  • Alternatively, "Casual Life Journal" (casual notes about life) can work well, noting everyday little snippets.

[Joanne Swift]

As someone from Liaoning who's lived in Shanghai for many years, I feel Shanghai's prosperity isn't just about its skyscrapers or the glamorous nightlife. It's something you truly appreciate by living here – like the incredibly convenient food delivery and courier services, the fresh and high-quality food, efficient city management, and constantly improving facilities and architecture. Ordinary people can also easily switch between enjoying the finer things and simple, down-to-earth pleasures.

[Kevin Harris]

That's a really apt description. Perhaps some people just haven't reached that level of cultural understanding, so to them, prosperity is all about the glitz and glamour.

[Bob Heller]

As a 45-year-old Shanghainese, I feel the same. The city's glamour doesn't concern me; heck, even romance feels irrelevant to my life.

[Velma Thompson]

Then you must feel really hard done by in Shanghai.

[Lucille Borer]

When I was earning 30,000 a month, I didn't think Shanghai was all that vibrant either. Once my income increased, Shanghai became truly awesome.

[Kristi Doyle]

Why are you dropping such inconvenient truths? Shanghai belongs to the rich!

[Steve Beatty]

Shanghai is stratified; those without money simply don't experience the same world or see the same sights as the wealthy do.

[Lula Schmidt]

That's true for any city, really.

[Dr. Danny Bayer]

Just a tad more prosperous than your Liaoning, perhaps.

[Misty Anderson DDS]

Hmm, not so sure about that.

[Ken Fahey]

Well, if you insist on comparing it to an international metropolis like Liaoning, then obviously Shanghai can't compete!

[Kathryn Hermiston]

No need for such blatant sarcasm.

[Katrina Ziemann]

If you're rich, it's 'Magic City' (Modu). If you're not, it's just Shanghai.

[Melinda Wilderman]

That's what everyone who hasn't been to Lujiazui says.

[Miss Angela Cormier]

If you don't have money and aren't inclined to seek out fun and entertainment, then even if you live and work in a supposedly great place, its vibrancy will still feel irrelevant to you.

[Carmen Willms]

I didn't find Nanjing particularly fun when I lived there either, not until I quit my job and actually took the time to explore and enjoy it.

[Felix Glover]

Perhaps you just haven't experienced the truly vibrant parts of it yet.