Arrival in China

China is not like Japan. In Japan, you can go anywhere without worrying about people trying to scam you. People always say hello and welcome and babble on to you in their shops regardless of whether or not you are Japanese. The advertised price is always what you pay, there is no extra tax, and no tipping.

Not so in China! Tipping, haggling, and no set prices are all part of the bargain. We already experienced this just getting off the plane, when the hotel desk offered to drive us to the hotel for a set price. Wary of taking a taxi and not consulting our guidebook, we accepted. Later, consulting the guidebook, we found out we paid too much. The hotel desk clerk also tried to get us to book tours through her but we declined.