Funny
ADVERTIsem*nT
What can you say about a city with 24 million people? Nothing really, it’s too big and there are too many stories to tell. But photos can help explain the weird, wild and wonderful metropolis on occasion, especially ones that obliterate the already thin margins of personal space that locals here offer up. Engrish shirts, entire families on a single scooter, the weary, the excited, the startling circ*mstances that defy explanation. There’s no commentary or opinion involved, just Shanghai and its people… observed.
Alex Greenberg is the man behind the account, an American who moved to the massive metropolis of Shanghai some years ago and fell in love with it. Overwhelmed by the sheer number of stories that can be told in such a vast city, he decided to start a website where he could document the quirks and oddities of everyday life there, which he called Shanghai Observed. The page now has nearly 70k followers, and people can't get enough of his shrewd street fashion sightings. Scroll down to check some of our faves out for yourself, and learn more about Alex's project!
More info: Instagram | Facebook | Website
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Final score:
415points
POST
Kaisu Rei Kaisu Rei Community Member Follow
This shirt speaks to me
Vote comment up
222points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
As China's economy and influence around the world continue to grow, we in Western countries will gradually acquaint ourselves better with the language, culture and way of life of this vast and ancient civilization. As anyone who has ever been to China before will tell you, it really is an exciting, diverse and unique country!
#2
Final score:
344points
POST
Guild N. Stern Guild N. Stern Community Member Follow
I need this one.
Vote comment up
94points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3
Final score:
341points
POST
Charlotte Brine Charlotte Brine Community Member Follow
#HashtagDeep
Vote comment up
99points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Alex Greenberg moved to the massive metropolis of Shanghai some years ago and fell in love with it. Inspired by the many bizarre things he encountered every day, particularly the weird and wonderfully funny translations found on people's clothing, he decided to start a website where he could document the quirks and oddities of everyday life in the city, which he calledShanghai Observed.
#4
Final score:
314points
POST
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
Ah yes, I hear you. It's "funambulism", isn't it?
Vote comment up
117points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5
Final score:
308points
POST
DforDorothy DforDorothy Community Member Follow
This kid has seen some sh*t! 😂
Vote comment up
158points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
Living in such a different and interesting place means that he is never short of funny fashion material, and he finds himself confronted with all kinds of surprises every single day. "I’ve been in Shanghai for 4 years and I love how fast the city moves," Alex toldBored Panda. ADVERTIsem*nT
#6
Final score:
292points
POST
Charlotte Brine Charlotte Brine Community Member Follow
Low key she definitely knows exactly what her shirt is staying and she won't hesitate to start naming names!
Vote comment up
112points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7
Final score:
289points
POST
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
That's my Tuesday shirt.
Vote comment up
81points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
"Shanghai has a great skate scene which is what drove me to move here in the first place. It's an amazing city to explore and stumble across startled circ*mstances that defy explanation."
#8
Final score:
270points
POST
chi-wei shen chi-wei shen Community Member Follow
...because pizza is easier to spot.
Vote comment up
80points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
#9
Final score:
269points
POST
Hans Hans Community Member Follow
She has a point.
Vote comment up
82points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
"I started the account in November 2016. I made the account because I had just gotten a new iPhone 7, and it took surprisingly great photos. I also wanted to start a daily photo project. The daily photo project was focused on forcing me to shoot more street photography and shoot photos that would show daily life in Shanghai. Stuff my friends and family would be interested in seeing."
#10
Final score:
257points
POST
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
Drunks go to parties.
Vote comment up
96points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11
Final score:
256points
POST
Lauren Lee Lauren Lee Community Member Follow
And yet, she'll never gain an ounce! Champ
Vote comment up
107points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
"When the account started to grow and I gained a following I started to get submissions from other people at that point I began to post only the best of the best. The types of situations I like to share are ones that make you double take or say 'wtf.' One of the most common things I post on my Instagram is people wearing shirts that say ridiculous things on them."
#12
Final score:
256points
POST
DforDorothy DforDorothy Community Member Follow
Didn't really work, did it?
Vote comment up
208points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13
Final score:
247points
POST
Hans Hans Community Member Follow
Well, this looks caring to me actually. Obviously, the small one was cold and a creative solution was needed.
Vote comment up
122points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
"I'm guessing 99% of the time these people have no idea what the funny t-shirt says because they don’t speak English. This makes for an amazing photo because you often see agreat juxtaposition between what the person's face says, and what the shirt says. I love hilarious photos and videos that instantly make you laugh or question what is happening. Shanghai seems to share that every day."
#14
Final score:
244points
POST
Charlotte Brine Charlotte Brine Community Member Follow
My god! the overwhelming need for me to see what those look like from the front is almost killing me!
Vote comment up
303points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15
Final score:
230points
POST
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
That's my Monday shirt.
Vote comment up
112points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16
Final score:
218points
POST
chi-wei shen chi-wei shen Community Member Follow
Solid advice.
Vote comment up
120points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
See Also on Bored Panda
6 Y.O. “Realizes Something Isn’t Adding Up” With Great-Grandparents Living Wealthy On Ordinary Jobs
Maine Coon Cats: Giant Kitties With The Softest Character
Many people have speculated where the weird shirts and fashion sense comes from, and whether those wearing them actually know what they mean. Over 10 million people in China speak English fluently, however out of a population of more than 1.3 billion, that's fewer than 1 in 100 people. We will let you decide!
#17
Final score:
215points
POST
Reilly Beryll Reilly Beryll Community Member Follow
You’re not wrong!
Vote comment up
69points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
As a follow up to aprevious postthat Alex uploaded onBored Panda,we decided to present some more Shanghai strangeness for your viewing pleasure. And although Alex is busy observing Shanghai, he still manages to keep an eye on his homeland too through his hilarious sister account,America Observed. Check it out!
#18
Final score:
214points
POST
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
Yo dawg I herd you like shoes so we put shoes in yo shoes so you can walk while u walk
Vote comment up
189points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19
Final score:
195points
POST
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
Don't happy/Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh/Be worry
Vote comment up
68points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20
Final score:
187points
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
If you want to hang out, you've gotta take her out...
Vote comment up
37points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21
Final score:
179points
POST
Hans Hans Community Member Follow
How would a court weight that in?
Vote comment up
61points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22
Final score:
178points
POST
Withnail Withnail Community Member Follow
When you twist the torso of your Barbie around to the front. I mean GI Joe. I don't have Barbies.
Vote comment up
174points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
See Also on Bored Panda
Teen Refuses To Babysit 16 Kids, Gets Woken Up With Ice-Cold Water On Her Face The Next Morning
“Bought The Property, Landscaping Included”: Woman Shocked By Ex-Homeowner’s Request 2 Years Later
#23
Final score:
175points
POST
CelestialPhilosopher CelestialPhilosopher Community Member Follow
oh dear
Vote comment up
78points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24
Final score:
174points
POST
Elena Bianca Elena Bianca Community Member Follow
He is Yoo Byung Jae, a korean entertainer. These are his merchandise, he previously had phone cases with his face on https://www.redbubble.com/shop/yoo+byung+jae+iphone-cases?ref=work_taglist
Vote comment up
68points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25
Final score:
153points
POST
Kaisu Rei Kaisu Rei Community Member Follow
A good statement but definitely not on a kid's shirt
Vote comment up
101points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26
Final score:
147points
POST
- - Community Member Follow
Cat owners, especially crazy cat ladies can relate
Vote comment up
57points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27
Final score:
136points
POST
Charlotte Brine Charlotte Brine Community Member Follow
Fashion police maybe???
Vote comment up
78points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28
Final score:
130points
POST
Paul Marney Paul Marney Community Member Follow
My personality and looks protect my virginity😭😭😭
Vote comment up
90points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29
Final score:
127points
POST
meow point1 meow point1 Community Member Follow
What is it with all these kids wearing inappropriate shirts?
Vote comment up
93points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30
Final score:
121points
POST
Charlotte Brine Charlotte Brine Community Member Follow
My "full of regret, why do I do this to myself every Sunday" shirt
Vote comment up
49points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
See Also on Bored Panda
Handyman Gives Squatters Their Own Medicine After They Take Over His Mom’s House
"As If I Had No Choice But To Move": Woman Refused To Switch Plane Seats
Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!
Follow Bored Panda on Google News!
Modal close
Add New Image
Modal close
Not your original work? Add source
Publish
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Author, BoredPanda staff
Read more »
I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.
Read less »
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Author, BoredPanda staff
Read more »
I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.
Read less »
What do you think?
POST
Alex K Alex K Community Member Follow
i would wanna buy at least half those shirts
Vote comment up
35points
Vote comment down
reply
Shanghai Observed Shanghai Observed Community Member Follow
Go to Shanghaiobserved.com ! Can buy one of them right now :)
Vote comment up
5points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Mad Madder Mad Madder Community Member Follow
I think most of these are photoshopped
Vote comment up
16points
Vote comment down
reply
Hendra Lim Hendra Lim Community Member Follow
yeah, some of the words looks photoshopped
Vote comment up
11points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Kryogen Kryogen Community Member Follow
It's strange those people don't check what it means... Well, thinking about that, some occidental people have chinese word tattoos which say "horse s**t" instead of the "love" they wanted...and they don't know about it...
Vote comment up
10points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Comments
POST
Alex K Alex K Community Member Follow
i would wanna buy at least half those shirts
Vote comment up
35points
Vote comment down
reply
Shanghai Observed Shanghai Observed Community Member Follow
Go to Shanghaiobserved.com ! Can buy one of them right now :)
Vote comment up
5points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Mad Madder Mad Madder Community Member Follow
I think most of these are photoshopped
Vote comment up
16points
Vote comment down
reply
Hendra Lim Hendra Lim Community Member Follow
yeah, some of the words looks photoshopped
Vote comment up
11points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Kryogen Kryogen Community Member Follow
It's strange those people don't check what it means... Well, thinking about that, some occidental people have chinese word tattoos which say "horse s**t" instead of the "love" they wanted...and they don't know about it...
Vote comment up
10points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Comments
You May Like
Saimonas Lukošius
Eligijus Sinkunas
Žydrūnė Trukanavičiūtė
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Bored Panda's Original TV Shows
Trending on Bored Panda
Newsletter
Stay Tuned to Your Favorite Categories
More categories Subscription arrow right
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Also on Bored Panda