Job Discussion Forums

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Sorry, but I am a bit worked up.

I walked between Renmin Square and the Bund three times in two days. Each time the same scenario.
Out of the blue materialised some person that addressed me, usually claiming to be "a student of English". SOme asked 'do you speak English?" or even "do you speak English too?" If i said, "non, mais on parle francais..." they would switch to some horrible French, ending (inevitably, predictably) in the question "shall we go to have a drink in a bar nearby and be friends?"

Each time I would produce the same funny development: I would say, "OK, but YOU are goi8ng to buy me a drink!"
They would never argue with me - they would literally flee, fly!

Honestly, in 40 minutes - the time it took me to walk the whole length of Nanjing Lu from the People's Square to the Bund, I was accosted around 20 times by people like this - not the youngest, mind you - some looked like they had clapped their hands when Mao was exhorting the masses.

I can remember Shanghainese as similarly enterprising some ten years back though there were far fewer of those out there.
Which makes me wonder if there are so many naive Westerners about that give in to this stupid and greedy game. Why else do they feel they can turn it into a lifestyle?

They must have some pretty unflattering misconceptions about us!
THe only time I was having peace was when I was walking together with my Jiangsu friend.

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Roger were you also approached by ART STUDENTS.??..They are friendly types who say they are visiting from another province to show their work. "You are interested in art aren't you?" they ask and come off like poor starving students. my 1st night in China I went along to see the "show" and was given the hard sell. I have been approached with this one a lot...

dudette · Joined: 27 Feb 2003 Posts: 72 Location: Ontario, Canada

Roger, I'm finding myself in the same frame of mind these days. Sometimes I feel like a prisoner in my apartment. It's getting so that I'm avoiding my favourite restaurants! Lately when I go to eat, the waitress, who usually stands a discreet distance away, stands right beside me and tries to practice her English while I'm eating. At my favourite fast food restaurant, the waitress actually sits down at my table with me and practices her English while I'm eating! I've had to order to go these days! I'm being stopped on the street more times than I care to remember, and being asked if I can be friends with the person, and would I teach them (insert here grammar, Band 4 help, English corner, French! Shocked

, etc.) in my spare time. I'm feeling like Garbo these days: "I vant to be alone..."

BTW, I'm not in your neck of the woods. I'm in Sichuan, so it seems that these are not isolated incidents?

OK, rant over. Thanks for letting me vent.

Cheers!

wOZfromOZ · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 272 Location: Shanghai

Roger

It must be your charm or that exquisitely chiselled physique of yours that's getting them "xing fen" (excited)

I never get any of that stuff!! (Shame - I could do with what E-gas calls
"Candy eyes" (that was a nice piece of imagery 'gas')

Not a bad place this Shanghai hey Roger?

The lights a burning in Jiading if you've got time!!!

wOZfromOZ

Susie · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 390 Location: PRC

This suggestion assumes that the fellows you are talking about can actually read, but how about making a sign written in big Chinese characters saying, "No interviews today, thank you!"

or "Wear a T-shirt that says, "I charge RMB100 for every word I speak to you, can you afford me?"

Redfivestandingby · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 1076 Location: Back in the US...

I experienced the "selling art" thing about 3 weeks ago in Beijing. It was everywhere and really annoying. But at least it's better than being offered pot and yellow vcd's.

Thankfully, I can respond in Spanish. I love to see that confused look in their faces!!!

sojourner · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 4:13 am Post subject:

dractalks · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 136 Location: Boston/Shanghai

please see post below

dractalks · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 136 Location: Boston/Shanghai

Rog said:

sojourner

Hi Roger,

I have just tried to submit a large posting on the subject of the 'bloody,cheeky Shangainese',but have just lost the whole thing ! Come on Dave,get your act together.

Anyway,I don't feel like doing the whole thing again.A precis of what I wrote is as follows :

- many of the 'students of English' you meet along Nanjing Rd have ulterior motives,besides those involving getting free oral English lessons and free drinks.Due to a recent experience I had in Shanghai, I have reason to believe that many of these 'students' are paid commissions or finder's fees by bar/club owners for every Westerner they entice into the premises.If you feel generous when meeting a student,you should at least choose the bar to go to.If the 'student' is adamant that you should go to a particular bar,walk away.However,if you both decide to go to the place the 'student' recommends,ascertain the prices of the drinks,and the 'extras' (peanuts,water melon,etc, which are often placed on the table without your ordering of them) BEFORE ordering your drinks.The prices of drinks can be astronomical in certain clubs/bars

- many of the female 'students' one encounters are nothing but whores and pickpockets. Because a particular girl is not attractive,don't assume that she can't be a pro ! If you feel genorous/want some innocent company and decide go to a bar or coffee lounge, ascertain the prices (of the drinks,that is !) before ordering.After a few minutes,you'll soon realise her real intentions.If you politely excuse yourself,she'llprobably give you a farewell kiss - but, then, BEWARE ! In my particular case,the young lady in question tried to remove my credit card from my shirt pocket !

- remenber that the con artists,pros,and English 'students' are out in force on Nanjing Rd,even during daylight hours !

Shanghai runs rings around many Asian cities regarding con artists and 'students',etc after freebies.But in many other cities they may have a keen desire to learn English.A few years ago,in Jogyakarta (Indonesia) a young guy I met wanted to practice his English with me.But at least he paid for my services by showing me around 'Jogya'.Last year,when I was in Seoul,I frequently dined out at the food stalls in the Namdaeman Markets area.On many occasions,people would sit down (uninvited !) at my table and ask me to assist them with their oral English.But when they left,they always insisted on paying for my food and drink bills !

Take care,

Peter

sojourner

Hi Roger,

I have just tried to submit a large posting on the subject of the 'bloody,cheeky Shangainese',but have just lost the whole thing ! Come on Dave,get your act together.

Anyway,I don't feel like doing the whole thing again.A precis of what I wrote is as follows :

- many of the 'students of English' you meet along Nanjing Rd have ulterior motives,besides those involving getting free oral English lessons and free drinks.Due to a recent experience I had in Shanghai, I have reason to believe that many of these 'students' are paid commissions or finder's fees by bar/club owners for every Westerner they entice into the premises.If you feel generous when meeting a student,you should at least choose the bar to go to.If the 'student' is adamant that you should go to a particular bar,walk away.However,if you both decide to go to the place the 'student' recommends,ascertain the prices of the drinks,and the 'extras' (peanuts,water melon,etc, which are often placed on the table without your ordering of them) BEFORE ordering your drinks.The prices of drinks can be astronomical in certain clubs/bars

- many of the female 'students' one encounters are nothing but whores and pickpockets. Because a particular girl is not attractive,don't assume that she can't be a pro ! If you feel genorous/want some innocent company and decide go to a bar or coffee lounge, ascertain the prices (of the drinks,that is !) before ordering.After a few minutes,you'll soon realise her real intentions.If you politely excuse yourself,she'llprobably give you a farewell kiss - but, then, BEWARE ! In my particular case,the young lady in question tried to remove my credit card from my shirt pocket !

- remenber that the con artists,pros,and English 'students' are out in force on Nanjing Rd,even during daylight hours !

Shanghai runs rings around many Asian cities regarding con artists and 'students',etc after freebies.But in many other cities they may have a keen desire to learn English.A few years ago,in Jogyakarta (Indonesia) a young guy I met wanted to practice his English with me.But at least he paid for my services by showing me around 'Jogya'.Last year,when I was in Seoul,I frequently dined out at the food stalls in the Namdaeman Markets area.On many occasions,people would sit down (uninvited !) at my table and ask me to assist them with their oral English.But when they left,they always insisted on paying for my food and drink bills !

Take care,

Peter

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Don't walk tianamen square. That palce is impossible, though I did see some nice art once there. I must be losing it. That never has happened to me in Shanghai., maybe because I am usually with a Chinese friend? In Beijing I tend to go by myself more often.

But to show how much I am losing it..when I go to Shanghai I stay in a hotel that mostly works as a place for a guy to have agirl for the night. (gee, that's uncommon!) (Cheap, friendly, near my friends, 50 kuai air conmditioned)

Last two times I got no phone calls during the night. I'm not even 40 yet. What gives? Praise God though, because this last time I would have sorely tempted.

Come to Zhengzhou. You won't have to worry about people wanting to show you art or people speaking English to you Smile

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

It's also my understanding that most of these people are not from Shanghai (but then neither are half the people now living in Shanghai). But knowing that doesn't help most.

I feel most for the flower girls from Hunan. I never buy a flower, but sometimes I will take them to the river to McDonalds, though it takes a lot to get them to talk. Maybe I am encouraging this to go on, but they are fun to practice Chinese with.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Thanks for the comments - I feel a lot better now (yes, I am no longer in Shanghai, but I am not saying Shanghai is a bad place!).

I guess Peter is on to something - they might be after commissions from a pub!

As for the artist cons or con artists - interestingly, I did meet them too, especially right next to the Peace Hotel. But they were straitforward, trying to sell art (paintings), even if their claim of being "students" was not too true. At least, they did not try to lure me to a bar - and make me pay for a drink for them!

But unlike those in Sichuan - or anywhere else for that matter - these folks definitely were not so much into "practising English" - they absolutely wanted an invitation from me, that they wanted me to "accept" being their host.
It was so insincere - "why not sit down for a drink and become friends?" in a place they would choose, leaving the settling of the bill to you.

Judging by their dress style, I would say they were upwardly very mobile people. Yuppies.