Great shot! Really a long story you are telling here with many different aspects. On the framing I would try a bit tighter crop from the left hand side to avoid the tiles. Would think it could give an imagination that the lady is sitting infront of a huge wall.

Excellent storytelling. I'm really liking this one on a lot of levels.

Good, sensitive street photography and I'm not wondering why. It's obvious.

A unique and valid spin on the topic John and a great street scene too.

I´m not wondering why, John, because I use to take pictures in the street too. I like to see street shots from other cities or countries that I hardly visit any time, so thanks for this shot. Daniel.

Yes, you are right, Daniel. The girl had sat down on the street and put her head in her arms like this. It's really hard to look at a street scene in China, and know what to feel. This sewing lady is working here; people will bring her things to adjust or fix. Maybe, because of my western background, I feel sorry for her to be working out on the street, but maybe a Chinese friend would see nothing to pity here. A Chinese friend would wonder why I took this photo. (Maybe you are all wondering why, ha ha). The girl who appears to be sleeping or grieving, may very well have just sat down for a rest, because the bag she is carrying is heavy.
To me, she seems to be grieving. I feel that she needs love, or has been hurt so badly that she is not ashamed to show her pain openly on the street. I always think that love and hurt go together, so that's why I submitted these for the challenge. I don't know if I'm subtle, or off topic, but anyway, the voting will tell me.

Interesting shot John, I would never expect to find a needlewoman working in the street. More, I bet the woman on the right is the one we can find in your entry "Need". Am I right?. Daniel.

Great street shot John but what a sad one! :-( My eye is first drawn to the colorful stool and then the seamstress and all the items around her but then my eye wanders around the picture and comes to rest on the hunched over man. I hope he's just resting but it doesn't really seem likely.

guess a negative is also an interpretation - fine street scene