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80-year-old woman, dubbed 'Princess of Public Telephones,' guards Shanghai's last manned booth for 33 years
šŸ‡°šŸ‡· South Korea /Good News

80-year-old woman, dubbed 'Princess of Public Telephones,' guards Shanghai's last manned booth for 33 years

From Dong-A Ilbo · (9m ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • An 80-year-old woman in Shanghai is maintaining the city's last manned public phone booth.
  • Despite earning only about 2 yuan (approx. $0.30) per week, she continues her work to combat loneliness and honor her late husband's wish.
  • The booth has become a 'retro hotspot' for younger generations, and discussions are underway in China about repurposing such booths.

The story of Shen Yuxiu, affectionately known as the 'Princess of Public Telephones,' resonates deeply within the Chinese cultural context. Dong-A Ilbo, while reporting on this heartwarming tale, highlights the unique blend of technological advancement and enduring human connection that characterizes modern China. Shanghai, a beacon of rapid development, is also a city where the past is not entirely forgotten, and individuals like Shen Yuxiu serve as living links to a bygone era.

I want to express my longing for you.

ā€” Shen YuxiuShen Yuxiu uses the public phone to call family and friends when there are no customers, expressing her longing for them and alleviating her loneliness.

Her dedication, driven by a desire to alleviate loneliness and fulfill her husband's last wish, speaks volumes about familial bonds and personal commitment, values highly regarded in Chinese society. While Western media might focus on the economic inefficiency of the booth, the local perspective emphasizes the emotional and historical significance. For many Chinese, this isn't just about an obsolete technology; it's about preserving a piece of shared memory and appreciating the quiet dignity of an individual's perseverance.

The emergence of the booth as a 'retro hotspot' for young people is particularly telling. It reflects a growing trend in China where younger generations seek authentic experiences and connections to their cultural heritage amidst the digital deluge. They are drawn to the tangible history the booth represents, a stark contrast to their digitally mediated lives. This phenomenon underscores a local appreciation for nostalgia and a desire to understand the roots of China's rapid transformation.

Even if there is no profit, keep operating it.

ā€” Shen Yuxiu's late husbandThis was the dying wish of Shen Yuxiu's husband, which is the most important reason she continues to operate the booth.

Furthermore, the ongoing discussions about repurposing public phone booths into community spaces like reading nooks or libraries demonstrate a pragmatic yet culturally sensitive approach to urban development. It's about finding new life for old structures, integrating them into the community fabric rather than simply discarding them. This initiative, driven by local authorities and embraced by citizens, showcases a thoughtful engagement with the past as China continues to stride into the future.

Thanks to Grandma, we can directly see the disappearing old culture.

ā€” Local netizenNetizens expressed respect and support for Shen Yuxiu's persistence, appreciating her role in preserving a fading aspect of culture.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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