There's what I call an "ignorance tax" or a "stupidity tax" for everyone who travels outside of their own language, culture, or country. You just don't know better, so you end up spending way too much on something that should be cheap, getting scammed, or having to buy your way out of a jam.
Well, I paid some China ignorance tax today. We were trying to find the subway station, and were on our way, but made the mistake of looking at a street sign for too long with our map wide open. A friendly girl stopped to help us, and offered to walk with us. Before you know it, she's inviting us to tea. Well, the tea ended up after half an hour costing about $50, and by that time there was no way out.
The surreal part of the day was when our "guide" was walking along with us, chatting us up in English, and was stopped by a group of Asians and asked directions in English. The conversation stayed in English the entire time. After awhile they said they were Japanese tourists. She told them brusquely where to go but no offers of help, and then lectured Valerie and me on the evils of the 1930's war as we walked to our destination. Then as we were sitting and eating two Chinese-Americans came up and asked her directions in English as well. Watching all these people communicate with English as a bridge language really helped me remember why it is so important that my students learn English well: it can make a great bridge language to so many cultures.
But the moral of the story is: if a Chinese person off the street asks you to tea, just say no!!!
