My friend (American) and I (Russian) were approached by a group of Chinese people in Beijing (2 girls and 2 guys). They claimed to be students from Shanghai majored in English. Actually we couldn't find a good place where we could eat and we were lost a bit, needed help. So we were happy to meet some Chinese people who spoke pretty good English and could help us. They immediately took us to some place. Prices there were definitely higher than usual. But we still ordered a plate of rice with egg which was like 100 RMB. Then they asked what we would drink. We answered we didn't want to drink anything. But they still ordered tea. Everything was nice, we kept chatting. But my jaw almost dropped to the floor when I saw the bill. It was almost 1000 RMB. Those students were just innocently looking at us expecting us to pay that bill. We said we would pay only for rice... Anyway, finally decided all of us would share the bill. But it was still quite a decent price for a plate of rice and tea that we didn't even touch... and it's not even about money. We felt like we were used. I still don't know if they were scammers.......What do you think? After this happened, our mood was ruined.
Posted on: The Tea Scam
June 7, 2012 at 4:17 AMSuch an excellent lesson! Here is my story:
My friend (American) and I (Russian) were approached by a group of Chinese people in Beijing (2 girls and 2 guys). They claimed to be students from Shanghai majored in English. Actually we couldn't find a good place where we could eat and we were lost a bit, needed help. So we were happy to meet some Chinese people who spoke pretty good English and could help us. They immediately took us to some place. Prices there were definitely higher than usual. But we still ordered a plate of rice with egg which was like 100 RMB. Then they asked what we would drink. We answered we didn't want to drink anything. But they still ordered tea. Everything was nice, we kept chatting. But my jaw almost dropped to the floor when I saw the bill. It was almost 1000 RMB. Those students were just innocently looking at us expecting us to pay that bill. We said we would pay only for rice... Anyway, finally decided all of us would share the bill. But it was still quite a decent price for a plate of rice and tea that we didn't even touch... and it's not even about money. We felt like we were used. I still don't know if they were scammers.......What do you think? After this happened, our mood was ruined.