Relay for fine living essentials
When difficulties to get necessities grew more acute, a “bartering relay” offered some much- needed reassurance to Shanghai’s people and netizens who care about the situation in this megacity.
The trend started when a resident put half a dozen cans of cola in the hall of his residence and offered them to his neighbors free of charge. Other residents, after taking the cola, returned the favor with pepper sauce, boxed milk, instant noodles and beer, seeking joy amid the hardship.
Besides cola, there are other unexpected “present” like cats, which can be lent to neighbors as furry emotional support companions. “There is a sense of humor, resilience, and caring nature along with great solidarity in Shanghai,” a comment read on Sina Weibo.
A group buying scenario that made headlines was at a luxurious compound in Shanghai where residents jointly bought 20,000 yuan ($ 3,047)- worth of Shake Shack burger combos in late March.
Roast duck, BBQ skewers, and Japanese sashimi are also on the group buying list.
Coffee is unsurprisingly another hot commodity in Shanghai, the absolute bellwether in China’s coffee consumption.
A Shanghai resident who only gave his first name, Xingyi, shared the experience of being in a coffee bean buying group on WeChat organized at his compound.
“I first thought it might be difficult because there may not be many people in need of coffee, unlike fresh food. But to my surprise, our community reached the threshold of 100 bags in a few hours,” Xingyi said. He also heard that some people who had ground coffee but had run out of drip coffee bags started to use Chinese parchment paper instead.
This drink is as important as fresh vegetables, eggs, and milk for Shanghai residents who have “grown up in the aroma of coffee.” Shanghai residents drink 25 cups a year and 50 cups for 10 million core consumers, while the average number in China is 5. Drinking coffee is a routine for not only young generations but also many senior citizens, including septuagenarians.
Arriving in Shanghai as early as the 1840s with other foreign commodities, coffee has become a symbol of Shanghai’s delicate lifestyle.
Bearing a long history of opening up and foreign trade, accommodating one of the largest expat hubs in China, and the workplace for 10 million people from across the country, Shanghai displays a unique culture of fashion and modernity.