For the uninitiated, life in China presents certain “little lessons” that one needs to take heed of and act accordingly. The lessons to be learned in China can be encountered in one variation or another in cities all over the world. Every country presents foreigners with its own particular learning curve. Having said that, foreigners coming to China who don’t know the language, and don’t know the culture, are “perfect recruiting targets” for those unscrupulous “teachers” who are eager to “take them to school” in the ways of China.
There is a interesting and quite informative website about people, places and things in China that is operated and maintained by expats who want to make coming to China and living in China a better experience for fellow expats. This site is called, “echinacities.com”. On October 19, 2013, an article written by Susan Gordon entitled, “7 Common Scams in China and How to Avoid Them” was posted on the “echinacities” web site. If you are planning to come to China for business, or maybe just as a tourist, the “educational” nature of the article will certainly help you prepare to pass at least some of the tests that might present themselves to you while you are here. Susan Gordon’s article is reprinted below.
Learn your lessons well.
There may be a test.
“Although China is relatively safe compared to other countries, there are still dangers. City life is never 100% crime-free – there are
pickpockets
, unscrupulous shop owners, and dodgy taxi drivers everywhere. Although personal safety is mostly common sense, knowing what to look out for can make a world of difference. Here are some common scams you might encounter in China, and how to stay one step ahead.
The teahouse scam
A lot of people fall for this one when they first arrive in China. It is most common in Beijing and Shanghai, but it also happens in other big cities. A couple of young people will approach you, often asking if they can practice their English. After a brief conversation, they will offer to take you to a teahouse. After the tea ceremony, you’ll be hit with a bill running to hundreds (even thousands) of RMB. Your new friends will have vanished; or they’ll pay part of the bill – money they’ll get back as soon as you leave. Even if you ask to see the menu to verify the prices, the staff will bring you a different one with ridiculously inflated prices. No cash? The kind manager will escort you to the ATM. Refuse? They’ll get nasty. Your only choice is to stump up or run, if you dare.
How to avoid: Either refuse to talk to anyone in the street, or, if you want to be friendly, suggest a reputable teahouse, or a chain like Coffee Bean or Starbucks. If they refuse, it is likely to be a scam.
2) The art scam
This is similar to the tea scam, but the students claim to be art majors, and offer to take you to their gallery. Once there, you’ll be strong-armed into buying overpriced, worthless art.
How to avoid: Don’t take the bait. Simple.
3) Pickpockets
Obvious, but still a danger. They operate on public transport, busy streets, restaurants, and often work in gangs, so by the time you notice the fingers slipping into your bag or pocket, your wallet will be on the next street.
How to avoid: Street thieves can be incredibly sneaky, so be ultra careful at all times. Carry your important documents and most of your money in a money belt, make copies of your documents, don’t keep all your cash in one place – divide it between pockets or belt and wallet.
4) Airport taxis
You know the feeling: you land at Honqiao or Pudong, glimpse the taxi queue snaking into the distance, and decide to hop into an unlicensed cab instead of waiting. After all, you just want to get home, right? Think again. Best case scenario, you get
ripped off
as there’s no meter. Even if your Mandarin is great, there’s no arguing with a crooked taxi driver. Worst case scenario, you’re driven to the back of beyond and robbed of all your possessions.
How to avoid: Don’t use unauthorized cabs. Even if you get into a licensed one and feel that the driver is taking you for a ride, literally, write down his identification number.
5) The card swap
If you pay your taxi fare with a transport card, sneaky taxi drivers sometimes swap your card for an empty one without you noticing.
How to avoid: Mark your card with permanent ink, or invest in one of those card-sized stickers that teenage girls like to use.
6) Dodgy tour guides
A trip to the Great Wall? A panda tour? A guided walk along the Bund? These are just some of the ruses that con artists use to get tourists to part with cash. Sure, they’ll take you to the Wall/sanctuary/Bund, but once you get there you’ll be asked to pay extra fees. You’ll also most probably be taken to souvenir shops along the way.
How to avoid: Book your tour with reputable companies, not street touts – however trustworthy they might appear.
7) The Traditional Medicine Scam
You’ll be invited to tour a traditional medicine clinic. A physician will examine you. Lo and behold, you’ll be diagnosed with some ailment or other, and – quelle surprise! – the clinic has just the medicine to cure you. Obviously, it costs several thousand RMB…
How to avoid: Simple – don’t buy. Or don’t get examined.”
Please know that China is a great place and the Chinese people are very friendly, great hosts. I have been coming to China since 1994 (I now live in Beijing) and so far I have fortunately been lucky enough, and cautious enough, over the years to pass China’s tests. However, most of my “luck” has been largely due to the teachings of my friends and work colleagues who have so generously taken the time, and made the effort to “tutor” me in the ways of China. So I am “paying forward” what I and others have learned about surviving China to all of you who are following in our footsteps
The article above can be found at:
http://www.echinacities.com/news/68083
Hawkeye in China
Lex Smith.