Originally Posted by
malloc
The tea ceremony scam is still going strong it seems.
Just came back from a stroll on Nanjing East road in Shanghai.
I was approached by a young couple, who wanted their picture taken.
I took a photo for them with their camera, but then, as I was about to leave they stopped me and asked me where I was from and where I was going. This immediately raised red flags in my head of course. I said I was from "Europe" and heading to the Bund.
Then they proceeded to explain that they were from Beijing, but were in Shanghai for "studies". Also, they said today was a special anniversary day for some tea ceremony celebration. (Yeah right!) They were going to a "show" nearby and asked me if I wanted to join.
I politely declined and headed my own way.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure they were trying to pull a scam on me.
Happened to me in Shanghai in the beginning of April, around the same area. Just take their photo and when they start talking about tea, just walk away and ignore them bluntly. They can be a little bit aggresive since you decline their offer, but again just walk away and ignore them.
The scams will continue as long as there are victims, and I don't think the tea scams will ever go away to be honest no matter if it is in Bejing, Shanghai etc.