Seriously, If NO ONE Buys, Will City Order Just Magically Appear?!

[Arnold Predovic]

What on earth attracts people to those open-air food stalls in Shenzhen, which are often placed on sidewalks and appear messy with questionable hygiene conditions?

**Tips for foreign friends:**
* "Street vending" ("zhàn dào jīng yíng" 占道经营): This refers to vendors setting up their stalls on public roads or sidewalks. However, it is usually not allowed, as it may hinder traffic or the passage of pedestrians.
* The term "uncivilized behavior" ("bù wén míng 不文明") mentioned by the author mostly refers to concerns about:
    * **Sanitation:** Are the foods prepared and served clean? Is hygiene observed during handling?
    * **Environmental impact:** Might it clutter the surrounding area?

**Travel advice along with a humorous critique:**
* In fact, the author brings up this point with slight sarcasm and curiosity: Why would a modern, advanced city like Shenzhen still have such unregulated street stalls? More importantly, would anyone actually want to eat from them?
* **⚠️ Cautionary notes for those interested in trying street food:**
  - Before trying any roadside stall, consider the following observations:
      * **Popularity:** If there’s a decent crowd of local people, chances are the quality and hygiene are relatively good.
      * **Freshness of ingredients:** Examine whether the ingredients used look fresh enough.
      * **Cleanliness:** Pay attention to how clean the operation counters look.
  - On the other hand, if you are more sensitive to your gastrointestinal health, or have high standards for personal hygiene, consider choosing regular restaurants instead. After all, falling sick due to contaminated food while traveling isn’t fun at all!

[Rosemarie Sawayn PhD]

Most of them operate out of rented ground-floor units, likely in those mixed-use buildings where they both live and make their goods in the same room. Considering the roadside dust, summer insects, and frankly, questionable hygiene—like people not washing their hands after using the toilet or other unsanitary habits—it's beyond me why anyone still buys their stuff.

[Justin Zieme]

I saw a comment earlier saying that the canteens are even less clean than the street food stalls.

[Velma Thompson]

This group seems to fall into two categories: The majority are people accustomed to a simpler, perhaps poorer, way of life, for whom delicious food means oily, salty, and spicy. Concepts like nutrition, health, hygiene, or even the city's appearance aren't really on their radar, nor do they particularly care. Then there's a much smaller group who haven't lived that way; they're drawn by curiosity, novelty, or the desire to experience something 'authentic' or 'down-to-earth.'

[Byron Larkin]

So, as they say, you can't wake someone who's pretending to be asleep. They'll just keep eating at street stalls and taking motorcycle taxis.

[Abel Schulist MD]

Must be people from Shandong.

[Daisy Hermiston]

Upholding civilized standards is everyone's responsibility.

[Frank Cole]

Boycott Shenzhen's street food stalls.

[Guadalupe Barton]

Definitely not buying, absolutely not!

[Theresa Sporer]

Anyway, I'm firmly against buying from them. For our own health, let's all boycott street food stalls. If there are no customers, they'll naturally stop setting up shop.

[Barry Kuphal]

Boycott street stalls.

[Misty Anderson DDS]

In this heat, the ingredients can't possibly stay fresh. It's best if everyone avoids eating this stuff.

[Candace McDermott]

It's these very people.