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March 28, 2006
Return of the 100 RMB
About 3 weeks ago, 3 friends of mine (all self made guys) arrived in Shanghai for a long weekend of partying, debauchery and basically to see how I was getting along.
Now these 3 guys are pretty smart and I have known 2 of them for about 10 years and done many a deal with them.
On their first day after pick up at Airport and settling them into their hotel, I ask them to meet me in Downtown Puxi at 7pm for dinner and advise them to take a Taxi and that the fare should be about 32 rmb from their hotel.
At 7.30pm they finally arrive and settle down, and when I ask how was the Taxi ride, they comment very nice and the fare was 35 RMB, BUT, as I had only give them 100 RMB notes, and the Driver had NO change, they decided to give him the whole 100 RMB.
In other words, on their first day in China, they got Shanghai'd :)
So basically I have spent the last 20 days or so, reclaiming this 65 RMB from taxi drivers around town, whenever my fare has been say 11 or 12 RMB, by making up excuses like I have NO change or only have 10 RMB master etc etc, and finally this morning I hit it big by getting the last 4 RMB back in 1 hit.
I can now safely get on with my life knowing that I have now reclaimed what was rightfully mine from day 1.
Moral of the story ? Who Knows (just thought you might want to read about it)
Posted by shak at March 28, 2006 8:58 AM
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Comments
what's a "self made guy" ??!?
Posted by: bobsunclue at March 28, 2006 3:01 PM
This reminded me when my wife and I (both Chinese) were traveling in Europe last autumn. I found some small business owners (bar owner and snack bar owner) in Spain and Rome had a tendency of cheating foreigners like us. For a couple of times when I counted the changes they gave me after I purchased some stuff I found the changes were incorrect (of course less than expected). I believe they were doing this on purpose because one time shortly after I started counting the Euros the owner gave me, he opened his hand and gave me another coin.
Posted by: Beijing Guy at March 28, 2006 3:58 PM
You cheap bastard you! ROFL!
Posted by: George at March 28, 2006 10:45 PM
This taxi driver (keep 100 without giving change)is not typical at all. If they don't have change, they shouldn't charge at all and you can refuse to pay. There are very strict rules in taxi industry in Shanghai. Any one who violate will get very heavy penalty... Taking back from other taxi drivers seem a bit cruel, they have very low margin, not like the taxi in the States...A better way to avoid all these troubles is to get a 'transport card' used widely in Shanghai taxi. Only one second you can finish the paying taxi and know the balance on your card - No hassel of change... :)
Posted by: Chris at April 17, 2006 6:31 AM