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billiardsmike -

Other than major items, I've never worried about the laowai tax. Who has the time to argue about a
couple of kuai on a meal? I was slapped upside the head and my rage awakened today, though.

As I left a restaurant I frequently visit, a stand-in bicycle guard approached. I asked how much
and he looked like he had palsey. His fingers kept shaking, alternately showing different amounts
until he figured the laowai was good for four kuai. I've always paid three without thinking, but
now I'm pissed.

Can you just blow these guys off when called for? Is there an acceptable range of costs? I've paid
everything from 5 mao to 3 kuai. I couldn't care less about the money. It's the principle. I'm not
going to make this my life's work, regardless of the thread title; it's not worth the time. I just
want to know what's fair. I shouted at the guy, gave him three and left. He didn't argue. It
probably should have been even less.



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wiley -

My understanding is that for short term bike parking anything higher that 2 mao is highway
robbery....










gougou -



Quote:

Who has the time to argue about a couple of kuai on a meal?

So you're saying you also pay more on meals? I don't think I ever had that (except for that one
guanbing vendor that wouldn't sell to me at the regular price).

BTW, in times of religious tension as the ones we currently live in you might want to be more
'politically correct' about choosing thread titles.










billiardsmike -

No, I don't know that I pay more for meals. When I've checked, it's always been right. I just
don't bother to check very often if it seems in the ballpark. A few kuai doesn't matter to me
usually. I was at dinner recently with a group, and they spent 10 minutes dividing the bill to the
nearest kuai. That amazes me.

You're probably right about the title, but it seems to be used by anyone with a grudge anymore,
holy, unholy, justified or not. Overuse diminishes the power of strong words.










roddy -

here you go. Couple of years ago, but even inflation couldn't account for more than a few fen when
you're starting from such a low base . . .










billiardsmike -

Thanks! 2 Mao is a long way from 3 kuai! I can't wait to see a few individuals.










adrianlondon -

I usually find something solid to lock my bike to, so don;t use the bike parking areas.

I did once, a week or so ago outside Carrefour, and paid either 2 or 3 mao - I forget which. I
think it was 2.










johnd -

billiardsmike, seems like you've got your maos and kuais all topsy turvy










gougou -



Quote:

When I've checked, it's always been right.

That reminds me of something... Once at Hutong Pizza, we found out that the bill from the cash
register (so a printed one, nothing handwritten) added up the individual items incorrectly - the
total was 20 kuai more than the sum of the individual items...










heifeng -

Same thing happened at KTV in 京师大厦!
somehow 30+ 30 = 65 or something strange like that on computer printed bill.....luckily (or
unluckily) my Chinese friends are the kind that won't go down without a argument over even 1 yuan
and we got the bill added correctly....(haha have any of you read similar news in Sichuan about an
all out argument from a dispute over a KTV bill in which the police force was called in....well
that wasn't me, but I can relate...)


i thought i got ripped off on some pencil lead once, it cost me 12 yuan. then i bought some that
was 1 yuan and literally turned to dust everytime I tried to write....then I thought it was wrong
that I boycotted that little stationary store that sold me decent 12 yuan lead....you just have to
pick your battles i guess....and enjoy a good b&*(&*7g session once in a while so you don't just
explode at someone on the street. Sure we understand why you are near insane, but the Chinese
bystanders will probably just be amused by your frustration....

(are you sure they didn't add a extra automatic charge for a TIP which places tend to do where
there are many a foreigners....)












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