The Infamous Teahouse Scam
- Joined: Jul 6th, 2007
- Posts: 668
I realize that for many expats who have been living in China awhile the ol' tea house scam is old news. But I'm really amazed at how many people I meet who aren't aware of it and continue to fall for it. I thought about this weekend and thought it would be good to get another dialogue going.
For those of you who don't know, Chinese women will approach foreigners and ask them where they are from, compliment them on an item of clothing, etc. The person then says that they are studying English and would like to take the foreigner to a teahouse. For many tourists the idea of going to a "real, live" Chinese teahouse with a "real, live" Chinese person is just orgasmic. "I'm gonna get a REAL China experience," they think. And I guess to an extent, they do! It also appeals to the foreigners' service attitude of "I can help this person improve their English by just having a basic conversation."
Once at the teahouse the Chinese person purchases the most expensive teas, meals, etc. In many instances, foreigners end up paying close to $300-$500 for a visit. The Chinese person points out that no one made the foreigner partake of the items and that they "invited" them to the teahouse. It's just a really sick way to prey on the good intentions of foreigners. You can imagine a tourist with no Mandarin ability or even a mobile phone can do anything to attempt to correct the situation. It's also terrible because it really sours the victim on China.
I have been approached by these vultures while at the Forbidden City and quite often while on Wangfujing Street. They tend to go anywhere where tourists are. I can only imagine how flooded the areas around the Olympics facilities will be next year.
To test if the person is a liar working for the teahouse attempt to change the location. "I'd really like to speak with you, but I don't drink tea. How about Starbucks?" If they won't budge on location, then you know it's a con.
I think it's also a good idea to let your Chinese friends and colleagues know about the scam. Whenever I've told Chinese people they are amazed about it. Admittedly, they tend to laugh at the cleverness of it. But I think the more that we can spread the word in the Chinese community, the better. They can warn other foreigners and so on. I think many people who fall victim don't tell anyone because they are embarrassed. Silence only allows these scumbags to stay in business.
I wish we could do more to put these shameless rats - whores, really - out of business. They waste people's time and money.
anoona
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
But why would anyone want to go anywhere with a person who approaches you on the street?
I mean, if you would not do it at home, or anywhere in Europe, why in China?
Btw, this trick has some variations and I heard of it in other countries too.
Glenderful
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
People who are traveling alone tend to want unique experiences with "real" people. They tend to abhor tourist groups. The idea of a local wanting to sit down with you and explain their culture, etc. is too good to resist for some people. Additionally, some of these girls are very attractive. That's appealing for solo male travelers or even locals. I met an Australian guy who got ripped off for $300 by a Chinese babe.
coeurdelion
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
One variation I heard from a friend of mine: two girls approached her, saying they were also tourists from Shanghai and were actually just heading to a tea house, would she like to come with them?
After the ceremony, they didn't ask her to pay all of it but proposed they would pay half of the bill and she would pay the other half which amounted to 600 USD. She paid...
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Sciency
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I just assume anything offered to me in the street is scam. Try to have fun with it, pretend you don't speak English, be obtuse and confuse the hell of them.
"Hello, do you speak English?"
"No I do not."
"Where are you from?"
"Bu zhidao."
"You are very handsome."
"Yes I am."
"We are art students."
"What is art?"
And so on... The ojective here is to get THEM to run away from YOU, which is highly, highly satisfying.
Galaxies don't move Sciency. They're in a fixed position.
Drake
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
The same little cows that pull this stunt in Oriental Plaza have been hanging around the mall for as long as I can remember - security can't possibly have not noticed - is the mall taking a cut?
Glenderful
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I agree! Make them freak out! I know some Americans in these situations pretend to only speak French, but in a few occasions these whores actually speak French so it doesn't work!
Azo
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Its the one thing I hate about walking around the tourist places (Oriental Plaza). The number of girls who try and get you to go to a tea shop or an art gallery.
Its got to a point where sometime I warn tourist strangers that where being eyed up by a group con-artists.
admin
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
many of us must be equipped with cell phone cameras -- we should expose the scammers! Anyone up for a little vigilante-ism? I'll gladly pose as the victim if someone wants to take the pics ...
Or we could do it in pairs -- we'll go and one of us will just insist on taking pictures with our new friends. Once we get the snaps, we inform them we know the routine and their pics are going to be posted on the web!
Of course these people might have some gangsters backing them up ... we need a getaway car ready
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Sciency
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Oh, I forgot this one:
"Do you like art?"
"No. I hate art."
Galaxies don't move Sciency. They're in a fixed position.
gazza
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I heard (2nd hand information) of this happening to an ex british SAS guy, when they asked him to pay something like 3000RMB for the tea he knew what was going on and told them to get fu(ked, then a couple of big Chinese guys came out and said hes not going till he pays. The SAS guy then beat the fu(k out of one of the Chinese guys and the other Chinese guy was too scared to help out his mate haha
This was in Shanghai apparently.
bu yao kan wo shi lao wai jiu zai wo
Glenderful
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Admin: I'll do it with you! Let's expose him. Maybe China Daily can do a story on it?!
Azo
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Haha thats a good one, I did this one before.
"Do you speak English?"
"No"
"You joking right?"
"No" -> Girls walks off all puzzled.
gazza
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
OR just reply "does cutting people up like in texas chainsaw massacre count?"
bu yao kan wo shi lao wai jiu zai wo
expat13
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
In the past I have indicated I dont drink tea, but would be happy to go to McDonalds with them. That usually makes them go away. I used to have to walk in that area on a daily basis to the subway, and would get approached by the art show girls and guys, the tea girls, and of course the hookers. There are plenty of them and some have been around for years. The I don't speak English reply also works, or just be rude and keep on walking. Thats what I typically did.
I also have advised some of the newbie tourists about to be trapped into the tea room scam, not sure if they decided to still go, but at least they were warned.
V
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Heh, I actually fell for one of the art things on my very first visit to BJ. I ended up spending 80 kuai for some water color that is probably worth about 5 or 10 RMB. Oh well. It's kinda cute and I keep it on the wall in my office.
I agree that they are thick as flies in a barn over by the Forbidden City and Oriental Plaza. That whole stretch of ChangAn Blvd between the 2nd Ring and Tian An Men Square/Forbidden City seems to be a hot spot. I've gotten into the habit of just ignoring anyone who asks me if I speak English in that area unless they look like a genuinely lost tourist.
Best,
Glenderful
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I'm sad now that I've never been approached by a hooker.
What's wrong with me?!
V
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I also give a polite warning to English or French speaking tourists when I seem them chatting with one of the obvious scammers. They're usually very grateful. It's unfortunate that the cops don't take more interest in that kind of thing since that tends to sour people on returning. I guess when Nigerians start opening tea houses they'll crack down.
Best,
babochina
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
just write to lonely planet to mention the scam or any travel guide website
and let it go ...
u can t protect ppl from their own stupidity
and being scammed once in a while helps you to stay intellectually sharp
level certificate in their language specialty; English | Japanese |
Korean | Russian | French | German | West sacrificial language | Dutch
Glenderful
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I actually contacted the U.S. Embassy about it and encouraged them to let people know it. They have a very small section on the warning page for travelers in China:
"There has been an increase in the number of Americans falling victim to scams involving the inflation of tea and drink prices. Normally, the scam involves young people who approach English speaking tourists and ask to have a cup of tea with them to practice their English. When the bill comes for the tea, the charge has been inflated to an exorbitant amount. When the tourist complains, enforcers arrive to collect the money. A similar scam involves buying drinks for young women at local bars."
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html
johnnybigstar
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
i also used to walk down wanfujing everyday to a students house...i could see the girls attention turning to me from miles away and would just give them a hearty head shake (no), actually say NO really loud if they got close enough, or even through up a hand in their face before they could open their slutty little mouths
...talk to the wrist, cause the face is PISSED girlfriend!!! hahah, just kdding, i wouldn't actually say that
....and when my 2 buddies came to visit they were so shocked when a group of three hotties approached us on the street and i basically told them to f*** off...they woulda followed those girls anywhere..haha
Glenderful
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Yes, there are tons of them in Wangfujing. They seem to keep track of who they've approached before.
Sciency
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
That's a great idea! I'm gonna very nonchalantly look away, put up my hand and do "talk to the hand cuz face ain't home." Then I'll make hand into a puppet, and address them only through that.
Galaxies don't move Sciency. They're in a fixed position.
expat13
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Maybe you should consider yourself lucky or if you really want to get approached, go across the street from the Lido hotel, those girls in the "hair salons" are pretty aggressive and not very picky.
LaoZhong
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Sunflower seeds........... $30
Ludagun....................... $50
Pearl Mountain Tea....... $300
Getting duped by a Chinese girl
half your age for the first time.......... Priceless
Click here for "happy happy long time"
baby_daishu
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I once had a Canadian victim (a 6 foot 7 victim??) cum wannabe saviour try and rescue me from this apparent "premium tea" menace whilst walking across Tiananman square one day - "This chinese guy is going to take you to a teahouse to talk english but he is going to rip you off......yak yak yak"
I had been talking to a random chinese guy for 25 minutes on the subway, by coincidence he was a student, was studying english, and happened to live the other side of the square where we both happened to be walking. And someone had just got scammed and was a little bit emotional.
Always pick a phrase to reply to the peddlers in the local lingo that is either funny or will confuse them cause it makes no sense. Here in China I use "Bu Ke Qi", repeatedly.
Hop, hop, hoppity hop....Some nice grass over there! Hop, hop, hoppity hop.
Glenderful
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
Yes, I would hate to limit my association with Chinese people out of fear that they may attempt to scam me. That's why I think the location test is so important. Additionally, not many young Chinese people really want to hang out in teashop. They'd rather go elsewhere, I suspect.
otto
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
who has time for that sh*t anyway?
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
Niennah
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
You'd think Beijing would care a little bit more nowadays, aren't they afterall doing everything to polish the picture of China to the world before the Olympics? Doesn't look too great if many visitors return home with the feeling of being scammed, as you mentioned in the opening post, it leaves a sour image on them. A friend of mine fell for the tea trick... maybe I'm getting less approached cause I'm a girl
pretty Chinese girls just don't do it for me.. *shrugs*
hitme
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
What an efficient way to make a whole race look bad.
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Watson
Re: The Infamous Teahouse Scam
I've had several girls approach me with "excuse me" walking home on Dong Zhi Men Wai. I don't even blink and keep walking right past them. Figure if they really needed something serious, there is no way they would be approaching a foreigner.
Damn, I have gotten so defensive and cycnical since living here.....Need a Thailand break....