Lessons in navigating Shanghai

I. A pedestrian never has the right of way. Nevermind the crosswalks and do not trust the little green man on the traffic light. The appropriate procedure is to wait until no one is coming and then run for your life, whether the little man is red or green. II. Mopeds are exempt from any normal standard of driving etiquette. They do not obey traffic signals or capacity limits and may come roaring down the wrong side of the road, through alleyways, or out of shopfronts at any moment. III. Any given Starbucks will always have at least one employee who speaks English. They will also serve you green tea cheesecake.