China Travel Forum

[mah]

Hi everybody,
I hope I hurt nobody,but I would like to ask something ,I've read in the LP as well as in this forum that Chinese people (not making generalisation though) are not so honest concerning foreigners visiting China.I've read some guy's post here about his girl friend accommodating at some place and forced to pay twice , another guest 'LOST' his camera this same evening not able to fill out a police report since the owner didn't cooperate.I've also read that Chinese bus drivers force foreigners to pay in advance and drop them off somewhere but not at the planned destination ,ect.ect. Is this a widespread phenomena? Have you met such things during your stay in China ? Any tips ?

[mis]

The Chinese are different people depending on if you are their friend/acquaintance or a customer for their goods/services. They have believed for years that it is easy to fool foreigners, and the fact that a lot of foreigners do get fooled (usually its more that the foreigner doesn't feel like wasting all the time bargaining and just says "ah, hell, its expensive but good deal for US dollars...").. not to mention prices for almost everything was government-mandated higher for foreigners a mere 15 years ago; it's just the norm. Their job is to make money and that is all they have in mind when they are dealing with you.
The trick is to not be nervous, trust no one who you just met, shop around before buying anything (almost every souvenier is available in at least 10 places around town, and night market goods are strikingly similar at many cities' night markets, etc), and never act like you want something from them. Think in terms of chinese dollars instead of USD or euros or whatever, because if you start converting everything to USD of course its a bargain, but it adds up..
Most importantly, don't be a moron tourist to give the rest of us a bad name, much like a lot of sly Chinese entrepenours have earned a bad reputation among Westerners.

[kamal]

Just a common sense as you travel anywhere. Be respectful to the people you meet, and you will get the same treatment. Bargaining is necessary, but do not too hard on the locals, they have to earn for living, if they're rich, they don't have to wait for hours in front of restaurants hoping to sell tourists some simple souvenir for some Yuan. I've been to China 5 times, almost 15 cities, and still plan to go back. The people I've met on every trip are kind and friendly, sometimes bargaining is fun as we use hand gesture and calculaltor, no language. Your sense of humour and open mind are necessary anywhere. However, if they don't know you and especially if there's money involved they can be some of the most unpleasant, uncivilized deceitful people you'll ever come across on the face of God's green earth. They are just out for one thing, your money-- and they also enjoy taking the piss outta foreigners too. You just have to learn when to suss out when you're being scamed --which will pretty much consist of every waking hour while you're here, and be able to get the right price or service. The Chinese are all about instant gradification, they don't want to wait. So if you're a nuisance to them, they most likely won't help you. If you happen upon their shop they will try to rip you off because they don't know when the next opportunity to do it will come.
All in all, it shouldn't stop you. Come and enjoy your time there's a lot to see and do. It's just a pity that it has to be this way, but then again China isn't the first world so it's to be expected.