[Video/Jing'an district government]

This summer, David Anthony Williams stepped into the shoes of a Shanghai food delivery rider for a day, an experience that offered a close-up view of the city's everyday rhythm.

From grappling with the delivery order app to navigating unexpected situations on the road, Williams gained a firsthand sense of the pressures of this fast-paced job. Along the way, he also encountered Shanghai's quieter current of care and consideration.

While delivering food to an elderly resident living alone, he voluntarily took out the homeowner's trash and dropped it off at a neighborhood waste sorting station.

Under the Regulations on the Management of Domestic Waste in Shanghai, residents are required to sort their own waste. Williams' small but thoughtful act showed how public rules can be naturally integrated into daily expressions of community care.

Later, riding under the summer heat, Williams briefly removed his helmet to wipe away sweat, only to be promptly reminded by his accompanying delivery partner to put it back on.

Helmet use is mandated by China's Road Traffic Safety Law and local regulations, measures designed to protect riders and reduce injuries. The reminder reflected how legal requirements translate into everyday habits, where compliance is both a responsibility and a safeguard. 

The day ended at a service station, a dedicated rest stop for delivery workers offering hot meals with fresh leafy greens, free haircuts, massage services, and even traditional Chinese medicine consultations.

Here, Shanghai's people-centered approach felt tangible, embedded in practical support and daily routines.

Through his day on the move, Williams delivered more than meals. He carried back a story of a city that looks after its people, protects them through law, and embraces them through small acts of care, one delivery at a time. 

Source: Jing'an district government