User Comments - mike46r

Profile picture

mike46r

Posted on: The Tea Scam
June 07, 2012, 10:09 AM

In my five unguided solo trips to China, I have been approached but never scammed. I did buy art once in Beijing from one of those galleries, but felt the price was fair and the painting hangs in my living room years later. I would rather the money go to a real person trying to scratch out a living than to an overpriced store. Most of the experiences I have had so far have been me asking someone on the street for directions and they end up spending hours with me, refusing to even allow me to buy them a bottle of water on a hot day. That has happened in Beijing, Xi'an and Guilin on three separate trips. I have been taken to tea houses where they treated. I find it all very humbling. I feel very fortunate, but I am always wary. I am looking forward to more humbling encounters this fall in Yongzhou and Changsha.

Posted on: ChinesePod Hall of Famers
January 08, 2012, 02:22 PM

Thank you for that show. It was nice to be able to relate. I am 61 and have been listening to Jenny for many years and have been going to China the past five years, mostly to Xi'an, to keep me motivated in my learning. At this stage I have to keep in mind it is for fun, but the experiences have been amazing.

Posted on: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
April 14, 2007, 03:32 PM

Change is good. I need to remind myself!