No more screaming fire laowai in a crowded theater

This Shanghaiist is a Shanghainese girl who doesn’t get near as much attention as the "whiteys" (or is it "whities"?) in this city do, however I/we feel your pain when you've got someone shouting “Laowai!!!” or staring at you as if you were an alien walking down the street.

This Shanghai Daily report now brings us some hope for you foreigners -- well, at least a little bit. The city is currently recruiting 400 volunteers to teach "etiquette classes" in neighborhood communities. The etiquette program, which begins on Saturday -- better find those volunteers soon! -- will focus on teaching local residents not to stare at you odd looking creatures and not to scream out "Laowai!" (what about "Hello!"?). One million local families are expected to take the classes, part of a program over the next five years to allow locals to politely welcome foreign visitors when Shanghai hosts the 2010 World Expo. The class is also going to teach people how to act in society, with family, in the office, and on campus.

The story also hinted at cracking down on pajama wearing on Shanghai's streets. Shanghaiist would prefer a crack down on shoving first, particularly on Huaihai Lu.

Image from Sinosplice.