Just Who Do You Think You Are?

Whoa there, Shenzhen.  It seems as though you are having a bit of an identity crisis.  I mean, who do you think you are?

Okay, so sometimes you think you are Shanghai.  True, you two are both Chinese.  Yes, it is fact that you both are located on a body of water and have created walking paths to show off that particular feature.  But lets be honest.  A historic stroll along the stately Bund is not the same as hoofing it along Shenzhen Bay.  I mean, Shanghai has over a thousand years of history and you are, what, 30 some years old?  Please.

Maybe you think you are Las Vegas, because of course you have some *fantastic* clubs.  Like say, Club Viva, with tables by reservation, bottle service (oooh, Chivas) and the requisite English language dance music pulsing from the speakers.  But look around, Shenzhen.  No one’s dancing.  There is a head bobbing here and there, but really, everyone is way more focused on playing dice (Liar).  Don’t get me wrong.  I love playing Liar.  Super fun.  But here’s an idea: Tone down the music, add a Juke Box, subtract the bottle service and put some good beers on tap.  Winner.

And as for being a Mecca of culture, New York you are not.  When The Backstreet Boys and Paul Oakenfeld are considered “big shows” you need to a bit of reevaluating.  Let’s talk about that Paul Oakenfeld show; 1993 called and they want him back.  THEY miss him.  I know it seemed like a big deal to you, but charging 7,000 RMB ($1,000) for a table is just plain crazy, even for you. 

C’mon Shenzhen. 

Let’s call a spade a spade.  You are the annoying little brother clinging to the suave, debonaire Hong Kong like its shadow.  You stand on your tippy toes to peak over the literal fence to see what the cool kids are doing.  And just as a little brother pencils in a thin mustache, you miss the mark just as grandly. 

Be who you are, Shenzhen.  It’s okay to be the new kid.  It’s okay to be the nose to the grindstone, working class, flip flop wearing, ACT taking kid.

It’s time to put up the stilettos.