Although there is one tactic that worked to perfection. A few years ago, I had a lot of fun at a house party and headed out to Sanlitun where my friend and I were accosted (as one always was) when exiting a taxi. One of the hawkers was a woman, and while the men were easy to brush off, she was a different case. I mean come on, a woman peddling a lady bar? (No she was not attractive).

Anyhow, she was more persistent than others, and in a moment of very drunken genius i came up with this nugget, "Wo bu yao lady bar, wo yao niiiiiii!!!!! (I don't want a lady bar, I want you)" A horrified look came over her face, and she took more than a few steps back. Her male counterparts thought this was hilarious, and I joined in their laughter..

Strange, I rarely dress well in China (unless its business or going to a very nice bar/club) and so don't get approached. To be honest, a non-caucasian (I'm of Indian origin) foreigner, dressed in shorts/old khakis, sneakers and a t-shirt does not get approached much by hawkers.

What's a "lady bar"? Sounds more like Tijuana or Tokyo...not China.

:D:D:D:D

China is very much in the thick of such things when compared to Tokyo or Tijuana, only it will be significantly cheaper than the former.

Anyhow, a lady bar, from what I have heard (never been), is a kind of ktv/bar place that's usually quite far away from wherever you are, filled with unattractive women and exceedingly high prices.

If Mrs. PTravel starts making comments like "Gee, you sure are smoking a lot on this trip!" I'd start being a bit more careful. ;)

Chinese don't go outside to smoke. If you don't want to stink up the hotel room, just go out in the hall or elevator or restaurant or bar or gym. ..Haven't
seen anyone on a treadmill smoking...but I'll bet its allowed.

Maybe that outside smoking was some kind of flag for those bad people.

Hmmmm. Good point! :)

It's possible, but I'm also a westerner -- I would assume predators would be familiar with the habits of their prey. As an American, and particularly a Californian, I just can't get comfortable with smoking indoors anymore -- it seems so . . . wrong. :) Also, it lets me combine a pernicious habit with a breath of fresh air.

For what it's worth, both Mrs. PTravel and I had a long, long talk with the hotel manager after we checked out yesterday. Interestingly enough, I seem to have created quite a shakeup there. My guess is that it was primarily the night staff that was the problem and, in particular, the doormen. Let's just say my morning, "ni hao" was a little chilly yesterday. :)

Honestly, I think you're wasting your time. Everybody from the doormen to the owner know what's going on. You can tell them it's not right, but they're making money because of what's going on. Why would they listen to you?

If it was an international chain, at least you could write to the corporate HQ; but unless Beijing decides to crack down on prostitution in the whole country, nothing's going to happen.

Its strange but true. I think its more about the need for some fresh air.
That air is pretty darn bad, compared to California, over there.


Its an additional revenue stream. If its offensive better to stay in a Hyatt,
Mariott, or Hilton...then you might have some kind of legitimate gripe. Otherwise its just another foreigner trying to impose their western pontification.

They won't listen to me, or at least, they didn't until I mentioned the Chinese Ministry of Tourism. The day manager told me it had been taken up with the owner of the hotel. Note that I am not suggesting that prostitution be eliminated or, for that matter, there's even anything wrong with -- it's something I have no say about. My complaint was about hookers harassing me in the hotel, following me up in the elevator, approaching me in the hallway to my room, etc. As I told the manager yesterday, "This is not a 5-star hotel, though it may be a 5-star brothel."

I've stayed all over China for the past 15 years, and rarely in western chains. I've never experienced anything on this scale before. Hookers don't offend me. Hookers harassing me constantly on hotel property most certainly do. If you think this is "western pontification" then there are some things about the hospitality industry that have escaped your notice.

I've never had this kind of problem in China before. Is it Shanghai (this is my fourth time to the city)? The Chinese economy? My pathetic bad looks?[/QUOTE]

I've never had this kind of problem in China before – Yes, China has changed.

Is it Shanghai? - No, its happening all over China

The Chinese economy? – No, it started long before the crunch.

My pathetic bad looks? No, I am sure your look is fine, it is your pocketbook/ATM card they are after.

On a more serious note, fellow flyers (male and female) should be aware of other schemes to get at your money in Shanghai.

Tea party / free guide – A group of young attractive Chinese (male and female) will start a conversation with you, it will start by talking about Chinese culture/Shanghai history/places you MUST see... “Have you tried some very special Chinese green tea? It is SO good for you … the best antioxidant in the world… the tea house is where all the up coming artists gather… it is VERY reasonable … it’s free…” You got the picture; their targets are middle-aged / elderly western people, single, couples or groups. The cost? The bill in the end will in the region of 1000 to 2000 RMB (USD 150 – 300). There are many variations of the scam – the little girls/boys lost (can you tell me how to get to …) this normally ends up in a bar, or a restaurant with whom the ‘lost girls’ have special arrangements. The cost is about the same, up to USD 300. There is also the ‘where you come from? Albuquerque? Wow, I have a friend who knows someone in Albuquerque! It seems they all have friends, or have been in Alice Springs/Friedrichshafen/Tombouctou…

A wife of colleague of mine was visiting Shanghai, she was ‘let out’ by herself one afternoon (the city is very safe day or night) She was interested in Chinese culture, especially Chinese calligraphy. She met some young ‘artists’ near the People’s Park, they took her to a ‘saloon’ and had a long disjointed intellectual discussion and very NICE cups of Chinese tea, the cost? USD 200.

There are a hundred variation of these scams, new ones are being invented everyday, so be careful. If you think you are been had, and you are in a public place such as a restaurant/bar down town where there are lots of people about, don’t be afraid to walk out, or call the police, they will back off.

Most Chinese people you meet in Shanghai / China are friendly, especially the young Chinese people, they like to speak to foreigners to practice English and just being friendly. However, they would not invite you to go somewhere (tea house/restaurant/bar/their home…) with them on a chance meeting. So use your own judgement, enjoy the city, enjoy the interaction, but don’t get conned.

Gweilo - literal translation "ghost man" ... and english version is foreign devil
+ lecture
= Western Pontification

No kidding :D

Guess this is the upside of being a native Shanghainese. For the past 10 years, I’ve only been approached by working girls once or twice when visiting China. The downside is that FTTT, I get treated like a second-class customer when laowais are present.

I'm well aware of the meaning of gweilo.

Well, I suppose I could have called the police.

Honestly, I don't know the reason for your attitude, but if you think hookers following you to your room in 5-star hotels in China is the norm, you've been hanging out in some very strange places.