A Guangzhou Native's Rant
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Every time I come back, a week really feels like the absolute limit.
It's nothing like the Guangzhou I remember from my childhood. The old warmth and sense of order are completely gone. It feels incredibly unfamiliar. -
The leadership isn't local anymore. Old Xiguan is now pretty much like the urban villages.
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Indeed, a couple of nights ago, I walked past Liwan Plaza near Changshou Road, and I just couldn't believe my eyes... It was overwhelmingly dirty, messy, and run-down. Unlicensed mobile street vendors were lined up one after another—a sight I only remember seeing when traveling to small county towns.
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The spitting everywhere is a real problem.
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When walking, the scariest thing is hearing someone cough and then spit behind you. You're just terrified a 'flying projectile' is heading your way.
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After reading the original poster's complaints, I have to say, they're spot on.
I'm a Guangzhou native too. Even though I've emigrated, I still care deeply about my hometown. When I went back the year before last, I already felt how terrible the electric bike situation was. This year, hearing the OP say it's even worse than before – and it truly is, if not more so. Sigh, pedestrians have no safe place to walk anymore. These bikes dart around recklessly, don't yield at crosswalks – you see it everywhere. The lack of courtesy and uncivilized behavior makes it feel like Guangzhou has regressed to pre-liberation times. And the government doesn't seem to care. It's us ordinary folks who suffer. -
Makes sense.
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Electric bikes, spitting, and secondhand smoke are truly unbearable. The penalties for these behaviors are just too lenient. Fine them 1,000 Yuan each time, then see if they learn to behave.
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Exactly. The fines are too light, and there's no enforcement. I strongly suggest that 80% of the collected fines go to the enforcement team as a monthly bonus. With fines from 100 to 500 Yuan, the problem would be fixed within a month. But will the authorities actually do it?!
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People in Hong Kong and Macau consciously follow the rules. We don't. Plus, there are so many street stalls now, which really affects the city's appearance.
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The street stalls seriously detract from the city's appearance. It's like we've regressed at least 40 years.
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Guangzhou's leaders either don't care or can't manage the situation.
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If they wanted to manage it, there are definitely ways. The question is whether they're willing, whether they have the guts, and whether they have the capability to do so. Try making fixing these issues a key performance indicator for their careers – bet that would work, wouldn't it?
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Restaurants have 'No Smoking' signs, but people still smoke, and no one gets fined.
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If no one else nearby is smoking, I'll politely say something. If they're reasonable, they'll realize their mistake and put it out. If they're not, they'll argue back, saying 'everyone else is smoking!' It's so frustrating.
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Today on the subway, an old man took off his mask and sneezed five times. I couldn't stand it.
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At least he was wearing a mask to begin with.