Comments on: Scam artists at Tangkou, the town at the bottom of Huangshan… http://thoughtbyscott.com/blog/2007/11/13/scam-artists-at-tangkou-the-town-at-the-bottom-of-huangshan/ Scott's thoughts on traveling to China, learning the language and on Chinese culture Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:18:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: scott http://thoughtbyscott.com/blog/2007/11/13/scam-artists-at-tangkou-the-town-at-the-bottom-of-huangshan/#comment-347 scott Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:50:05 +0000 http://thoughtbyscott.com/blog/2007/11/13/scam-artists-at-tangkou-the-town-at-the-bottom-of-huangshan/#comment-347 Thanks Ann and m, for your comments. From my experience (I lived in the Philippines for over a year and have been a lot of places where this is true), you see this type of behavior in places where there is a big disparity between rich and poor, especially when the rich are tourists to a poor area. It has more to do with economics and less to do with culture. Unfortunately, it often seems like it's a lose-lose proposition for those who are trying to make a living in these areas, because if they don't cheat the rich tourists, they have a hard time making a living, but if they do, then they are blacklisted as being scam artists. Most people I know would like to reward good behavior and punish bad behavior, but I've never seen anyone go back in and give extra money to the one who didn't lie to them or try to cheat them. Instead the rich tourist will probably go home and brag that they got this trinket or that for 20¢ instead of 30¢ and the seller's children won't get quite as much to eat that night. Another problem is that the good people don't want charity, or a handout. They accept their lot in life and make the best of it. I just hope that, in most cases, karma does happen. It may be wishful thinking, but it's all I've got! Of course, this fake hostel is somewhat of a different issue. This not only gives people a bad taste in their mouth for a very good organization (International Youth Hostels), but it makes them wary every time they see that sign, wondering if it's true, or another scammer operating undercover... I find that as soon as I get away from the touristy areas, everyone is friendly (very quick with a nod of the head and a smile) and more than willing to help with anything. In other words, it's the well worn tourist path of Beijing - Xian - Shanghai - Hangzhou - Suzhou - etc., and specifically the tourist areas in these places that become magnets for the less than scrupulous individual....(Hello, you want to buy a watch????)... Thanks Ann and m, for your comments.

From my experience (I lived in the Philippines for over a year and have been a lot of places where this is true), you see this type of behavior in places where there is a big disparity between rich and poor, especially when the rich are tourists to a poor area. It has more to do with economics and less to do with culture.

Unfortunately, it often seems like it’s a lose-lose proposition for those who are trying to make a living in these areas, because if they don’t cheat the rich tourists, they have a hard time making a living, but if they do, then they are blacklisted as being scam artists.

Most people I know would like to reward good behavior and punish bad behavior, but I’ve never seen anyone go back in and give extra money to the one who didn’t lie to them or try to cheat them. Instead the rich tourist will probably go home and brag that they got this trinket or that for 20¢ instead of 30¢ and the seller’s children won’t get quite as much to eat that night.

Another problem is that the good people don’t want charity, or a handout. They accept their lot in life and make the best of it. I just hope that, in most cases, karma does happen. It may be wishful thinking, but it’s all I’ve got!

Of course, this fake hostel is somewhat of a different issue. This not only gives people a bad taste in their mouth for a very good organization (International Youth Hostels), but it makes them wary every time they see that sign, wondering if it’s true, or another scammer operating undercover…

I find that as soon as I get away from the touristy areas, everyone is friendly (very quick with a nod of the head and a smile) and more than willing to help with anything.

In other words, it’s the well worn tourist path of Beijing - Xian - Shanghai - Hangzhou - Suzhou - etc., and specifically the tourist areas in these places that become magnets for the less than scrupulous individual….(Hello, you want to buy a watch????)…

]]> By: long_way http://thoughtbyscott.com/blog/2007/11/13/scam-artists-at-tangkou-the-town-at-the-bottom-of-huangshan/#comment-346 long_way Wed, 14 Nov 2007 06:44:46 +0000 http://thoughtbyscott.com/blog/2007/11/13/scam-artists-at-tangkou-the-town-at-the-bottom-of-huangshan/#comment-346 Scott, I agree with Ann, I'm sure your experience will be a good lesson to other travelers to Huangshan. As you said, the amount of money they "earned" through their scams are negligible but the feeling of being bluntly lied to is quite disturbing. Overall I'm sure your trip has been positive and exciting, have a safe trip home! m Scott, I agree with Ann, I’m sure your experience will be a good lesson to other travelers to Huangshan. As you said, the amount of money they “earned” through their scams are negligible but the feeling of being bluntly lied to is quite disturbing.
Overall I’m sure your trip has been positive and exciting,
have a safe trip home!
m

]]> By: ANN http://thoughtbyscott.com/blog/2007/11/13/scam-artists-at-tangkou-the-town-at-the-bottom-of-huangshan/#comment-345 ANN Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:00:42 +0000 http://thoughtbyscott.com/blog/2007/11/13/scam-artists-at-tangkou-the-town-at-the-bottom-of-huangshan/#comment-345 BE GLAD IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY, AND ALSO THAT YOU WILL HAVE WARNED OTHERS OF THIS. HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY HOME. BE GLAD IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY, AND ALSO THAT YOU WILL HAVE WARNED OTHERS OF THIS.

HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY HOME.

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