Originally Posted by
moondog
I now have enough data points under my belt to conclude that "they" usually DO NOT ask about preferred routes. Rather, the SOP is to enter the destination address into their GPS devices and follow the ensuing directions blindly. I don't need Baidu/Google to set them straight because my Shanghai geography is on point (to the extent that I know traffic patterns and one-way streets cold), but on occasion I give drivers the benefit of the doubt, and get bitten.
I would agree with this statement. I've even gone as far as asking them to go a certain way knowing the traffic of Guangzhou well and my directions are either not understood or they simply don't want to deviate from the navigation.
As for Uber picking up like wildfire, I've had a number of Uber drivers tell me that they have yet to have one Chinese passenger. Though I suspect the dynamics of Shanghai and Guangzhou are a bit different as there's definitely more coming and a going here of foreigners. Additionally, there appears to be some sort of crackdown on Uber in Guangzhou reported to me by one of the Drivers. He was definitely not happy about the government and complained about it throughout my ride. He said something about an attempt to shut down operations here locally but there has yet to be any action.