It's 2:48 AM now. I finished my back massage and head massage at 1 AM. It took me 90 minutes, worth every single cent. Had a nice chinese conversation with the masseur, a guy. Here's the story on why I got a male instead of a female.

The first few days when I arrived in Shanghai, Serene parents brought us to do some massage. Serene kindly requested a masseur (note: masseur is a term used for guy massagers) for me, appearing jealous of the C cup China girls, with a pretty face. But luckily, I mean, unluckily all the guys masseur were taken. So I got a… lady ;). A young one (17 years old ONLY!) with small eyes and pleasant looking.

I was too tired to start a conversation, the only thing we talked about was "Tong mah?"… and I'll answer "No"… followed by Serene's "Jia Li!"

So when we wanted to go massage again, Serene gave me that "YOUR FAVOURITE" face I knew something was wrong. So I took a guy when they asked me.

I talked to him, the first thing I ask was 'isn't it tiring to massage the whole day?'

He answered, yes of course, but when you get use to it, it's okay.

Then obviously, another important question was the pay. And I got a shock when I heard it. He's getting lesser than my monthly allowance! He said that he earns about 1000 - 2000 RMB a month. That's $200 - $400, lesser than the amount of money I brought to China. I could literally hire a masseur female massager, massaging me everyday for 12 hours (yes, they work 12 hours a day) with my monthly allowance.

Since it was a Saturday, I asked him, how many leaves do you get a week. He said none. He works 7 days a week, and sometimes, each month, you can get 2 days off.

WOW! A guy, working 12 hrs a day massaging people, earns $200 - $400 a month, and gets no off days. It's really a terrible working condition. The girls have to leave their hometown, to come to Shanghai, work 12 hrs a day with no time for going out and having relationships, probably send most of their salary home, just at 17 - 18 years old. Singaporeans are so lucky.

He wanted a Singapore note from me as a remembrance, he wanted to buy it from me, I refused of course. I gave him a SGD$2 note, the plastic one. And a RMB$10 note, he took my shoes and put it in front of my feet, maybe if I were to give another $10 he will wear it for me hahhaa. Kidding.

Err…. then he wished me a happy trip back to Singapore and offered me tea. Hmm… well, even though it's very standard for the service line, but it was done with an extra smile. I wanted to give some tips to that 18 years old girl too, but… was too shy. It's easier to communicate between guys.

Another thing is that, taxi drivers in Shanghai… have a very tough life. Most of the time, even during weekends, I could flag one without any problems. Go down the condo, the security will get you one ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. And each taxi ride starts from 11 Yuan, and doesn't jump… so frequently.

Look out of the window, turn back and it's still 11 yuan.

A journey from my house in Singapore to Simei will cost SGD$7. If you take a Chinese taxi for the same distance, it will probably cost only $3. 

FYI, I'll be flying later at 4 PM, arriving in SG at 9:55 PM, terminal two, my fan club, get ready.