I have been living in the same apartment complex and neighborhood for over four years now.  Despite the degradation of apartment, the complex, and neighborhood; prices have continued to rise. For example, when I first arrived in this neighborhood, the streets were clean and it was a relatively quiet place to almost rival that of the French Concession (I shouldn’t exaggerate too much).

After the second year things started to take a weird turn. The streets were suddenly dirtier with litter, saliva, and other unsightly things. The real-estate places started closing down, and yet another hair salon opened up; blaring its loud music including feminine lady boys hanging outside (There are around five on one block alone).

By year three the unsightly began to appear. You know your neighborhood has gone to shit when the street crazies start to arrive.  If you are wondering who they are; these are the people who will kill fish and cut a chicken’s throat, and then let the blood run in the streets. If you are walking by it is quite nauseating; especially if you are walking around with children. Then there are the vegetable venders who will park themselves right outside your gate.

After they are finished they throw rotten vegetables everywhere that leave a stench. You have to wonder do these people wash their hands after handling your food.  I ask this because I notice that at least 50% of business men don’t wash their hands after peeing or pooping. Half the time there isn’t even any soap around. So if you cannot even trust a business man, how can you trust a street vender who is less educated, less well off, cares less about hygiene, and has less access to a bathroom?

Then there are the beggars who can smell money from miles away and arrive in droves. Epileptics miraculously arrive in chairs with no wheels. Legless vagabonds are inching their way towards your feet. It is a wonder how one can get to work with all the clutter that blocks the walkway. It reminds me of the walking dead.

These past few months I have noticed that the Changguan have arrived and I have seen how they work. They usually arrive on the scene at the early morning or evening. Everyone scatters like roaches for about 15 minutes, and once the Changguan are gone everyone returns and gets back to business. While others detest them I cheer when they arrive. Everyone looks at me like if I am stupid.

It leaves me to wonder why we give the Changguan such a bad name. I think of them as the gunslingers of the West. Here to rescue us from oblivion, pollution and living in squalor. They are the messengers, so why do we wish to kill them? Sure there are many outlaws that crave on power and doing harm to society, but most are doing their jobs.

Chinese netizens seem to think that these people do great harm to society. They seem to think that the street crazies are the victims. I frequently hear….

“These people are trying to earn a living. At least they are not stealing and killing”

This is a silly rationalization. Should we applaud a person simply because he wishes not to steal and kill? Should we be grateful that the crazy has found a job to do?

I say…if you cannot afford to live in Shanghai then do not come. There are too many people here to begin with. The last unofficial estimate was 27 million.  This is bigger than most countries. This is due to the government not expanding to 3rd tier cities. If you have to resort to selling things on the street, maybe the big city is not a right fit for you

See I wouldn’t have a problem with it if the crazies didn’t pollute the environment.

If the vegetable vender cleaned up after his mess

If the crazy who killed fish and chickens could cover up his genocide

If the vagabond didn’t hound and pester you as if you owe him a life

If the barbershop could turn down the ridiculous music

But these people make it hard to sympathize with them. Well except maybe for the disabled beggar. This is mafia problem. I'm sure that the beggar industry is in the multi millions of dollars in Shanghai, Beijing , Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Some organizations even sending their beggars to other countries.

I really detest seeing scoundrels outside of my apartment complex.

I know I may sound harsh but for the prices I pay for my current apartment I expect results.

Don’t you?