Always Ask

(Sunday, February 5, 2012)

I learned something important yesterday. When in doubt, always ask. Now this might not work 100% of the time, but it’s definitely better than not asking.  You see it all started with a leisurely Saturday afternoon walk in People’s Square. I was taking photos (as usual), when a group of close-to-my-age Chinese students approached me. They asked me to take their picture. But of course! We got to talking afterwards (probably because they were fascinated by my blue eyes) and before I knew it, we were on our way to a tea house that they had invited me to. 

Now here’s where my bad judgment comes into play. Maybe it was the overload of 5 different people talking to me simultaneously in Chinese and English. Maybe it was me trying not to get hit by bikes/cars/buses/rickshaws as we crossed the street. At any rate, I didn’t think to ask. (Yes – there’s the key word).  You’re probably dying to know at this point what I should have been asking. I’ll tell you. The price of said tea house event. I must have assumed that it wouldn’t be too bad, and (according to Chinese custom) they would be planning to pay for me since they invited me out. We get to the tea house, and begin this ornate tea ceremony. We were briefly shown a sort of “menu” with some prices listed on it for various things. It didn’t seem exorbitant, but not something I would do on any regular basis. We sipped tea, talked, and laughed for over an hour, at which point things calmed down a bit. If anyone wanted, they could buy a container of tea to take with them. I wasn’t especially interested, knowing I could likely buy great tea elsewhere, at a better value. A few members of our group chose containers they wanted, and a couple minutes later we were brought the bill. After seeing the menu, and knowing how many pots of tea were made, I’m expecting to pay maybe 100RMB-150RMB (about $16-$24). Pricey, but worth the experience. 

I was wrong. My jaw must have hit the floor when one of the members of our group told me we were splitting the bill evenly (with their purchases included) and I owe 660RMB. At this point, I’m hoping this is some kind of joke. For a minute I think I might even be getting scammed by these people. But no, they start dishing out their share too. I have a grand total of 200RMB in my wallet, enough to easily buy dinner for 4 nights. Not enough for tea. I have no choice, I guess I’ll have to use my ATM card and draw enough cash to cover this unexpected expense. We run downstairs to the ATM, where my card decides not to work. Another ATM machine and still nothing. 

We return to the room where everyone is waiting to go, and embarrassed, I have to explain that I don’t have enough cash and my ATM card refuses to work. Fortunately, they all pitch in and cover it (after I fork out the 200 bucks I had in my wallet). We get to the metro station and say our goodbyes and take some pictures together. They must have had some deep pockets, because this whole thing was no big deal to them. $100 for a tin of tea? Sure, why not? At the end of the day, though, I had a good time and have now experienced a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. 

Always ask.