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Chapter 11 - General Information CLIMATE HONESTY compels the statement that climate is not one of the attractions of Shanghai. It is very hot and humid in the Summer and quite cold in the Winter. Twice a year, in the Spring and in the Fall, there are periods of several weeks when weather conditions are very pleasant. January is the coldest month, July the hottest. In general, Shanghai's climate has been described as "one-third of the year tropical and two-thirds temperate." 
"It isn't the heat, it's the humidity," is a trite quotation but it is frequently aptly used in Shanghai, the average annual humidity being 82.2. During late August and early September, the "typhoon season," there is likely to be much rain if not many typhoons, which usually pass by giving Shanghai scant attention.Temperature Farenheit Degrees Average annual temperature (over 60 years) - 59.34 Average monthly highest (July) - 97.29 Average monthly lowest (January) - 43.27 Average annual highest temperature - 98.96 Average annual lowest temperature - 45.05 Humidity Average annual relative humidity - 82.2 Average monthly highest - 84.2 Average monthly lowest - 76.3 Rainfall Averages
January 49.9mm July 148.2mm
February 57.9mm August 145.7mm
March 86.2mm September 123.9mm
April 91.6mm October 74.5mm
May 90.5mm November 50.4mm
June 184.8mm December 35.6mm
Farenheit Temperature. In Farenheit, the average temperature for the first quarter is 40.2; second quarter, 63.8; third quarter, 76.2; fourth quarter, 52.5. During July and early August the mid-day temperature usually hovers between 90 and 100 degrees, with a high average of humidity. Most of the rainfall is during the Summer. There is very little snow, but considerable sleet in the Winter.
Shanghai's coldest year was recorded in 1893 when a low of 10 degrees Farenheit was registered in January. On January 10, 1930, the next coldest day was recorded with 12 degrees. Such Winters in China are termed "four coat Winters" by the Chinese.
The present year (1934) has broken high temperature records for Shanghai. On July 1 the thermometer rose to 102.7 degrees Fahr., the highest for sixty years, and on July 12 it reached 104.4, the highest ever registered in the city.
Taken by months the best season is from the middle of September to December. January is always cold. February and March are variable. April is Spring-like. May and June are usually delightful. July, August, and the first half of September are hot and moist, and rains and typhoons are welcomed to break the heat.
Chinese Forecasts. The Chinese predict the weather according to their calendar "moons," which are difficult to compare with the Occidental calendar as they vary from year to year.What to Wear. Visitors to Shanghai during June, July, August and early September will want a completely tropical wardrobe. White suits are suitable for men and the sheerest of summer frocks for women. Sandals are usually worn by Shanghai women while stockings may he dispensed with altogether. The general rule for Summer underclothes is the fewer the better.
During December, January and February heavy clothing is required. The intermediate months of March, April and May; September, October and November, require medium weight clothing, such as is usually worn in America and Europe at the same time of year.
Tropical Latitude. Although in mid-Winter it is difficult to believe, Shanghai has approximately the same Latitude as Cairo, Egypt, and Morocco, is a little South of the Bermudas, and falls roughly on the same parallel as Charleston, South Carolina, and Los Angeles, California.HOW TO KEEP WELL While the ordinary rules for the maintenance of health apply in Shanghai as elsewhere, certain precautions in the matter of food and hygiene should be taken by both visitors and residents. Among the precautions recommended by the Public Health Department of the Municipal Council are:
Vaccination every three years; inoculation against typhoid every two years, and inoculation against cholera every Summer.
Don't consume foodstuffs which are not fresh and which have not recently been cooked, boiled or otherwise sterilized.
Fresh meat is stamped with the official stamp of the Council. Beef, mutton and pork 'are marked in two grades, first quality in purple, second quality in blue. If vegetables of local origin, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, radishes, etc., are eaten raw, they should be thoroughly washed and then sterilized by dipping in boiling water.
Fruit is a constant source of danger during the Summer months, but it is a problem that has to be faced. Such fruits as apples, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, watermelon and pears which possess undamaged thick skins are safe, provided care is taken to cleanse the external surface before eating. Other and thinner skinned fruits, such as grapes, strawberries, raspberries and the like, and apricots and peaches are safe only if eaten cooked. The popular method of dipping fruit in a solution of potassium permanganate is not recommended since it is far less reliable than boiling water.
Shell fish should never be eaten raw, and are best avoided altogether.
No milk other than pasteurized milk or grade "A., T. T. Raw," should be consumed without boiling.
For absolute safety, drinking water should be boiled.
Be moderate in the consumption of alcoholic drinks and follow the "Sundown" rule in the Summer months. Get your supplies from reliable sources.
Iced drinks should be consumed slowly.
Shanghai Summers can be made quite tolerable by observation of the following rules:
1. Use discretion in keeping out of the sun.
2. Wear light, loose and open clothing, light hats and shoes, and underwear of open texture. Wear loose collars, and do not keep your belt too tight.
3. Keep the air circulating in your room but do not sit directly in front of or under the fan. Expose yourself by all means to the night air, but keep your stomach well covered. Guard against chill.
4. Take moderate exercise. Over-exertion may produce just the condition you are trying to avoid.
5. When it is possible, take a short nap in the afternoon.
6. Do not over-eat, especially at mid-day. You need less food in the summer than you do in the winter.HOSPITALS
The Shanghai General and Country hospitals are the largest. VITAL STATISTICS Birth Registration. Birth registration in Shanghai is very incomplete, most of the Chinese neglecting it entirely, and the foreigners in Shanghai usually register at their respective Consulates. As far as the Chinese are concerned, the majority of practitioners and hospitals are willing to co-operate but the fact remains that the majority of childbirths do not take place in a hospital and no doctor attends.
In 1933 there were 829 births among the foreign residents which were registered-423 males and 406 females. This represents a rate of 17.87 per 1,0.00, against 16.16 in 1932. In this year the birth rate was published for the first time, statistics having been assembled as a result of the cooperation of the medical profession and the hospitals.
Only 1,192 births among the Chinese were registered - 640 males and 552 females.
In 1933 deaths of foreigners in Shanghai totalled 661, of whom 524 were residents. The death rate was 11.29 per thousand, compared with 12.82 in 1932.
Deaths of children under one year were 15 per cent. of the total, the chief causes being pneumonia, diseases of early infancy and beri-beri.
Abandoned Bodies. Some 5,715 Chinese deaths are included under the heading, "Exposed Corpses." They are the "unwanted" bodies of beggars, indigents, still-born children and female infants, etc., which are left on vacant lots for collection and burial by benevolent societies. It is impossible to give a detailed analysis of the causes of these deaths as there is no compulsory registration of deaths in Shanghai.
CHURCHESProtestant All Saints' Church (American Episcopal) - Rue Lafayette and Chapsal Holy Trinty Cathedral (Church of England) - 219 Kiukiang Road Church of St. Andrew (Missions to Seamen) - 171 Broadway Church Of Our Saviour - 502 Dixwell Road Community Church - 53 Avenue Petain Deutsche Evangelische Kirche - Avenue Haig and Great Western Road Endeavourers' Church - Range and Chapoo Rds. First Church of Christ, Scientist - 178 Route Dufour Fourth Marines Church - Avenue Jofrre and Rue Cardinal Mercier Seventh Day Adventist Church, Central - 526 Ningkuo Road Shanghai Free Christian Church (Evangelical) - 681 Hart Road Union Church - 107 Soochow Road Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady - 694 Baikal Road Church of the Sacred Heart - 21 Nanzing Road St. Joseph's Church - 36 Rue Montauban Russian Orthodox Russian Orthodox Mission Church - 55 Rue Paul Henry St. Andrew's Church - 220 Route Vallon St. Nicholas Church - 18 Rue Corneille Jewish Beth Aharon Synagogue - 50 Museum Road Ohel Moishe Synagogue - 486 Seymour Road Ohel Rachel Synagogue - 200 Seymour Road DAILY NEWSPAPERS Foreign daily newspapers in Shanghai are in the English, French, German and Russian languages. All, with the exception of the Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury, Ltd. (American daily) are morning papers. Daily Newspapers: North-China Daily News - 17 The Bund Shanghai Times - 160 Ave. Edward VII Evening Post and Mercury - 17-21 Ave. Edward VII China Press - 11 Szechuen Road, Lane 126) Le Journal de Shanghai(French) - 21-23 Rue du Consulat Deutsche Shanghai Zeitung (German) - Astor House (Room 96) Shanghai Zaria (Russian) - 774 Avenue Joffre "Slovo" (Russian) - 238 (1-2) Ave. du Roi Albert PIDGIN ENGLISH "Pidgin-English" is a curious jargon commonly used as a means of communication between the foreigner who has no knowledge of the Chinese language and the Chinese shopkeeper and servant with a limited knowledge of English.
Actually, the lingo is made up of a few English words (often mispronounced) expressed more or less in accordance with Chinese idiom. In spite of its limitations, it works surprisingly well. It is not as easy as it seems, however, and any Chinese can soon tell if you are a newcomer. Following are a few of the most frequently used phrases:
Maskee - never mindTalkee he - Tell him No wantchee - I don't want that Can do - That will do No can do - That will not do My no savvy - I don't understand Pay my - Give it to me Pay my look see - Let me look at it Topside - upstairs Bottomside - downstairs Bym-bye makee pay - I'll pay later Pay chow - serve food Catchee one piece rickshaw - get a rickshaw My wantchee - I want My no wantchee - I don't want Cumshaw - A tip Catchee chop chop - Fetch quickly No b'long plopper - This is not right No squeeze - No overcharging Walkee-walkee fish - live fish Joss House - Temple Pay Master chit - Give Master the letter B'long Shanghai side - To live in Shanghai Chop chop - Quickly B'long my pidgin - That's my business Catchee baby - To have a baby Learn piecee - Apprentice Savvy box - Brain How-fashion? - What for? Amah - Chinese nurse or maid Solly - Sorry My catchee chow - I'm going to eat Chit - A note or letter What thing? - What is that? This Me - Here Talkee my - Let me know This b'long my - This is mine What fashion no can? - Why not? Talkee come morning time - Tell him to come in the morning This b'long number one - This is very good Three piece man come dinner - There will be three guests for dinner S'pose no can do catchee coolie - If you can't do it get the coolie Missy have got? - Is Mrs. at home? What side my room? - Where is my room? This price b'long true? - Is this price genuine? S'pose catchee two piece can more cheap? - Will it be cheaper to take two? My wantchee walkee - I want to go for a walk Pay two piece - Give me two Can puttee book? - Is the bargain settled? Pidgin English is not, as is optimistically believed by the visitor, made by adding "ee" to every word. "Pidgin" is a corruption of "business," so pidgin English means business English. Many of the words, such as "Maskee," are of Portuguese derivation. "Junk" comes from the sound of "chueng" in the dialect of the coast where the Portuguese traded. Of Indian words we have 'shroff", a dealer in money; "tiffin" for luncheon, "godown" for warehouse, "coolie" and "chit." There are a number of Chinese words included in pidgin-English such as "chow" for food, "chop" for stamp or receipt, and "cumshaw" for gratuity.
A good general rule to follow in speaking pidgin English is to put the object first and use only the nominative case of pronouns, he and she. Use "my" for me, discard all grammar, and talk in roots of words and monosyllables. Do not try your pidgin English on every Chinese. If a Chinese can speak good English his dignity is highly offended if he is spoken to in pidgin. Try English first and if necessary break into your pidgin.LOCAL TRANSPORTATION Trams and Busses. Shanghai utilities offer practically all modern transportation facilities except elevated and subway railways. Tramcars and motorbusses operate on regular schedules and routes throughout the International Settlement and French Concession and into Chinese territory, and by tram or bus, or both, it is possible to reach practically all points of interest in Shanghai. Rates are very reasonable, the service is fast and the vehicles are well maintained. For parties private buses carrying 22-25 persons may be hired from the transport firms at a charge of $5 per hour.
Hire Cars. A number of excellent hire-car (taxicab) services are maintained. The usual minimum fare is $1 (Mex.) for about twenty minutes, and from $3 to $6 per hour, according to the type of car, etc. The chauffeur usually expects "cumsha" (a tip) of twenty cents for a trip up to half an hour.
Rickshaws and Rates. The newcomer, especially if he has never been in the Orient before, probably will choose the omnipresent rickshaw for short trips about town. A rickshaw is almost always within range of one's voice and, to the stranger, the novelty of the man-drawn vehicle is an attraction.
It is well to know something about rickshaws and their "pullers" before engaging one. There are many foreigners in Shanghai who ruefully recall the time they paid a dollar gold for a ten-minute ride. Do not attempt to bargain with a rickshaw coolie with foreign money. Chinese money is all that means anything to him. And don't deliberately overpay him from a sense of sympathy. Rickshaw coolies live in dire poverty; pay them liberally but not foolishly, for it is an idiosyncrasy of the coolie mind to mistake generosity for idiocy.
If one wishes to engage a rickshaw by the day make arrangements through your hotel. The charge will be about $1.50, or $1 for half a day. For a ride of a few blocks pay ten cents; twenty cents for fifteen minutes; forty to sixty cents for an hour, according to distance travelled.
Don't go into strange territory in a rickshaw after dark; or make a careful note of the license number. Many rickshaw pullers solicit brazenly for places of bad repute at late hours.
Rickshaws bearing a S.M.C. (Shanghai Municipal Council) license can operate anywhere in the International Settlement or the French Concession. Those bearing a license in Chinese characters only are not permitted to enter the International Settlement.
Registration of public rickshaws is: International Settlement, 9,990; French Concession, 17,000; Nantao
(Chinese City), 16,014; Chapei, 12,902; Western Area, 13,135.
Many Motor Cars. The latest reports show 16,300 private motor cars licensed in Shanghai, 9,900 in the International Settlement and 6.400 in the French Concession. Only one license is required within the two foreign settlements, either International or French license serving in both districts. An additional license from the City Government of Greater Shanghai is required if the car is driven into Chinese territory.WEIGHTS AND MEASURES A few of the more familiar terms of weights and measures in vogue in Shanghai should be explained: Li. The Chinese unit of road measurement, equal to 1894.12 feet English. Like all Chinese measures, it varies in different localities. Catty. A Malayan and Chinese weight unit equal to one and a third pounds avoirdupois. Mow. The Chinese unit of land measure. A mow in Shanghai was defined by H.B.M. Consul in 1861 as the equivalent of 7,260 square feet English. As usual the measure varies greatly in different parts of the country and even in the same district two or more degrees of mow may be in use. Picul. The Chinese hundredweight, generally equal to 113 1/3 pounds avoirdupois. CALENDAR Officially China uses the same calendar system as Occidental countries, but only since 1912, when Dr. Sun Yat-sen became President of China. In reality, however, among the majority of Chinese the old lunar calendar system prevails. By the old method time is calculated by lunar months, consisting of 29 or 30 days each.
Accordingly, twelve lunar months may total to either 354 or 355 days. The beginning of the year is determined by the sun and New Year's Day must fall on the "first new moon after the sun enters Aquarius," which makes it come not before January 21, nor after February 19. When 12 lunar months do not meet the requirement for the beginning of another year an extra month is simply inserted. Each Chinese month begins with the new moon.
The Central Observatory at Peiping (Peking) which is a successor of the old Imperial Board of Astronomy, fixes the days on which hot or cold weather, rain, snow and-frost may be expected and when different crops should he planted, by rules which appear to have been kept secret by the authorities of the Observatory. In all provinces Chinese farmers govern activities by these prophecies which, uncannily; are frequently correct.
Watermelon Seeds. Watermelon seeds are a favourite time-killing eatable among the Chinese. At formal parties and family entertainments watermelon seeds are always present. At banquets each guest has, among sauce dishes and wine cups, a plate of almonds and watermelon seeds. The idea is that the guest may divert himself between courses.OFFICIAL INFORMATION For authentic information of an official or semiofficial nature, many sources are available in Shanghai, more particularly the Consulates, Chambers of Commerce, and foreign trade offices and bureaux.
Visitors, if they plan to remain more than a few days, are advised to register at their Consulates. It is both a protection and a convenience. Mail or cablegrams are frequently addressed to a traveller in care of his local Consulate, for instance. Passport advice may be had at your Consulate and this is of great importance. It is not always known, for instance, that only Japanese, Canadian, and Hongkong British visitors to Shanghai are exempt from Chinese visas on their passports. Travellers who are in Shanghai only for the period of their steamer stopover need not procure visas. Others must procure a visa each time Shanghai is entered. The Chinese Government charges the same fees for these visas as other governments charge to Chinese nationals. Thus the Chinese visa fee will differ widely, according to the nationality of the visitor. Consulates should be consulted in regard to all passport problems as one may blunder into needless difficulties through ignorance. Commercial and trade inquiries may likewise be made at the Consulates.Consulates in Shanghai: America (U.S.A.) - 248-250 Kiangse Road Austria - 330 Szechuen Road Belgium - 13OG Rue Lafayette Brazil - 359 Route Cohen Chile - Cathay Mansions (265 Rue Bourgeat) Czechoslovakia - 50 Route Amiral Courbet Denmark - 26 The Bund Finland - 100 Rue Mareel Tillot France - 2 Rue du Consulat Germany - 9-10 Whangpoo Road Great Britain - 33 The Bund Italy - 555 Bubbling Well Road Japan - 25A Whangpoo Road Mexico - 131 Museum Road Netherlands -25 Rue du Consulat Norway - 110 Szechuen Road Portugal - 1050 Rue Lafayette Russia - 1 Whangpoo Road Spain - 1205 Bubbling Well Road Sweden - 96 Rue Mareel Tillot Switzerland - 113 R. de Say Zoong Chambers of Commerce. Information concerning business in Shanghai (so far as the country of the visitor is concerned) may be found at the local Chambers of Commerce, of which there are many represented in Shanghai. American - 51 Canton Road Brazilian - 1290 Rue Lafayette British - 17 The Bund Chinese - N. Soochow & Honan Rds, Danish - 220 Szechuen Road French - 9 Avenue Edward VII General - 17 The Bund German - 133 Yuen Ming Yuen Road Italian - 278 Kiangse Road Japanese - 24 The Bund Netherlands - Sassoon House Norwegian - 220 Szechuen Road Trade Conditions. Commercial attaches, associated with the principal Consulates, compile statistics on general trade conditions in China, possibilities for new markets, and commercial developments. They are glad to be of any possible assistance to their nationals.
The American Commercial Attache and the American Trade Commissioner have their offices, not at the U.S. Consulate, but at 51 Canton Road (Robert Dollar building), and the Canadian Trade Commissioner is at 17 The Bund. Other commercial attaches and trade commissioners are at their respective Consulates.MUNICIPAL OFFICES International Settlement: Fire Brigade 309 Honan Road Phonel5440 Police Force 239 Hankow Road Phone 15380 Public Health 223 Hankow Road Phone 12410 Public Library 22 Nanking Road Phone 10404 French Concession: Medical Service - 300 Rte. Delastre Fire Brigade - 193 Ave. Joffre Police - 22 Rte. Stanislas Chevalier DEFENCE FORCES Foreign defences in Shanghai are maintained by the Fourth Marines (American) of whom there are 1,900; the Second Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment (British), to be replaced by the Inniskillings in the coming trooping season, numbering 1,600 men; the Japanese Naval Landing Party, 2,100; the French Forces, 1,600, and the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, just over 2,000.
In addition to the military forces there are usually Italian, French, American, British, and Japanese naval forces in Shanghai.
There are twenty-three units in the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, the Light Horse, American Troop, Shanghai Field Battery, Shanghai Light Battery, Shanghai Field Company, Armoured Car Company, "A" Company, "B" Company, American Company, Portuguese Company, Japanese Company, Chinese Company, Shanghai Scottish, Jewish Company, Philippine Company, American Machine Gun Company, American Reservists' Company, Transport Company, inter-communication Company, Interpreter Company, Air Defense Company, Public School Cadet Company, and the Russian Regiment. Most of the Russian Regiment is comprised of paid men. All other units are voluntary.
unless otherwise indicated
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