At the Gallery of Modern Art there is an exhibit which depicts a Shanghai supermarket. A small one, one you are likely to find in the back streets, a small convenience store. All the packaging was empty - but it gave people an opportunity to look at the products on the shelves, some of which was packaged such that the product would be familiar. I think of OMO, Pantene, and so on.
I remember the first time I went into a supermarket, opposite the college, late one night just after we arrived,and I was overwhelmed by all the Chinese writing and the 'unfamiliar' products. I learned in time, to recognise the packaging,and yes, there is some English (more and more so) on the packages which makes it easier, but first glance, it is a challenge.
