Lesson Activities

01: watch video 2-3 times / 02: read story / 03: listen to audio lesson 2-3 times / 04: watch the video again to understand 100% / 04: answer the Lesson Question!

Watch Video + 4 Step Audio Lesson

Podcast: Download

Nicknack Man:

City Stories No.01: Shanghai

Zhang makes his living in the backstreets of old Shanghai.

On my way into the city of Shanghai, and the train that runs from the airport to the city, is crazy fast! This was Day 01 of my new City Stories Project and I would have only one day to find interesting stories. So I had to move fast! I woke up early the next morning and headed to the center of Shanghai to meet my guide. I had no idea what would happen, but I thought maybe we could meet some interesting people. We started our walk around the city, and the first person we met was happy to share his story with us.

Zhang Jianguo: Nicknack Cart Owner

J: “I do this work just to make a living, actually.” We met Zang standing with his nicknack cart in one of the old and disappearing neighborhoods. Shanghai’s old neighborhoods have been destroyed and are almost gone forever. J: “I just sell this small stuff to the ordinary people around the market, in this area.”

How much can he make every day? Zhang’s nicknack cart is a throwback to the old days before modern convenience stores.
J: “1,000 RMB every month…average.”
 

“I do this because I don’t have any other skills for me to make a living…”

 
Is that enough for him? Does he have a family?
J: “My wife also does this business, but in another area. My son is studying in school, but I’m not a Shanghainese. My son is living in another province; Ang We province which is near Shanghai.”

What does he like about this job? What’s the best thing about it?
J: “I’m currently making enough money for my life here in Shanghai. I do this because I don’t have any other skills for me to make a living, that’s why I just do this.”

Does he have a dream for the future? Like the neighborhood we found him in, I think men like Zhang and his nicknack cart will soon disappear.
J: “My future is more focused on my kids, because his future is my future. I may plan to go back to my hometown, a few years later, but now I’m here to make money.”

Good luck to him! Thanks you very much. I’m going to buy something. I’m not sure what I need, but I’ll find something to buy.

Simple men, with simple livelihoods like Zhang, are quickly disappearing in this fast changing world. I wonder how long he and his cart can survive.

Lesson Question!

Q: What old ways or traditions are disappearing in your culture?

Diary + Skype Class Questions

Q1: Tell me about how you make a living?
Q2: How much money do you need to survive in your city?
Q3: Can you still find throwbacks to the past in where you live?
Q4: What are the best and worst things about your job?
Q5: How do you feel about this changing and modern world?