Of course, we all know that tipping is not part of Chinese culture. These are The Rules. However, we all also know that rules sometimes should be broken. Today I encountered one of those times. I had arrived at Beijing airport about 10:30 and had to make a beeline (with luggage in hand) straight for Guomao for a critical errand before going to register for my apartment in Dongzhimen, which had a prearranged meeting time. After the errand, waiting in front of Guomao Tower 1 for a taxi, I was #5 in line with few empty taxis coming round. This was noon. Two came so I was then #3 in line. Empty taxi comes up, Chinese woman #1 goes to him and starts to get in, he won't take her. Chinese woman #2 goes to him, he won't take her, then he points to me, Jiejie #3 and motions me to come over. I figure he's assuming by my luggage that he's about to get a fat fare to the airport. Not wanting to mislead him, I told him I was only going to Dongzhimen. He grinned and popped the trunk for the luggage and said yes, he'd take me. I didn't dare look at Chinese women #1 and #2. I wouldn't blame them for fuming, but I'm not about to turn down a lucky break! Could have been waiting there another half-hour and with luggage, I had no other logical transport options besides taxi...and a preset meeting time looming.

Get to my destination, fare is total RMB 16. I give him a 20 and tell him to keep the change, and thanks for choosing me as his passenger. He grinned again, gave me the thumbs-up sign, and went away a happy camper, as was I. Hopefully this tip will again encourage him to pick the next foreigner out of the waiting throng.