Negotiating Outside the Hotel and in Tourist Areas
Once you have driven through Beijing and observed the ebb and flow of traffic, you will develop a great deal of respect for the bus driver. Somehow everything works in what looks like chaos. Watch for uneven surfaces and little dropoffs that can give you a good spill. If you are a pedestrian, crossing streets can be an experience of a lifetime. If an underground passage or crossing area does not exist, then you will have to negotiate your way across a street in the midst of cars, taxis, buses, trucks and bicycles. Be alert at all times in crossing streets. The experience will begin as soon as you step out of the Beijing Airport terminal. You will need to roll your luggage across the street in carts to a bus. The distance is short but it can be an abrupt awakening to unsuspecting jet lagers.
When leaving the hotel make sure you take a hotel card. If you get lost, show it to the taxi driver and he/she will get you back to the hotel. People will be helpful if you show them the card.
Beggars and vendors can be abundant in tourist places. There will be vendors selling post cards and other goodies you might want to bring home. You can bargain but you will also be hounded if they find out you are a "shopper." The beggars can be very aggressive and persistent. Sometimes there are three year olds sent by parents to extract money from tourists. It is touching but remember you are really being engaged in a family business operation. Physical expression of annoyance is helpful in ensuring their departure or you may just need to keep moving at a brisk pace. Unfortunately, acts of kindness quickly turns into a begging frenzy so it is best to move on. Remember, they are simply trying to make a living. Just make sure you are prepared with you valuables protected before they reach you. And, make sure you have small change because large bills are an incentive for them to pressure you to buy more. Don't be too suprised if they do not return your change because they want you to think about buying more first.
When leaving the hotel make sure you take a hotel card. If you get lost, show it to the taxi driver and he/she will get you back to the hotel. People will be helpful if you show them the card.
Beggars and vendors can be abundant in tourist places. There will be vendors selling post cards and other goodies you might want to bring home. You can bargain but you will also be hounded if they find out you are a "shopper." The beggars can be very aggressive and persistent. Sometimes there are three year olds sent by parents to extract money from tourists. It is touching but remember you are really being engaged in a family business operation. Physical expression of annoyance is helpful in ensuring their departure or you may just need to keep moving at a brisk pace. Unfortunately, acts of kindness quickly turns into a begging frenzy so it is best to move on. Remember, they are simply trying to make a living. Just make sure you are prepared with you valuables protected before they reach you. And, make sure you have small change because large bills are an incentive for them to pressure you to buy more. Don't be too suprised if they do not return your change because they want you to think about buying more first.
posted by Daniel at
12:38 PM
