East China - Shanghai

[QUOTE=TheGuy;1818960]"Scamhai" is overstating it. Most Shanghai taxis run according to the meter, and they will not overcharge. In neighboring Vietnam, many more taxis rig their meters. In Bangkok, many taxis refuse to respect their own meters. In Burma, taxis negotiate for every fare.

Throughout Asia and Latin America, taxi drivers, who try to attract airport passengers before they get to taxi lines, will overcharge. Not unique to Shanghai. These are often unofficial taxis, so there is little protection.

Teahouse scam is awful. It has snagged countless tourists in both Beijing and Shanghai. However, it is well documented on Internet.

In sum, while unfortunate if you got hit by all the events you cite, they do not make Shanghai more scam-ridden than other Asian countries. While it's always good to be mindful of a country's many scam artists and other crooks, which Shanghai has, your experiences do not justify a savvy monger on a singular mission to discourage others from Shanghai.[/QUOTE]Not really sure why such acrimonious info but I will continue informing the newbies as you all bash me. I could care less really. Now maybe you should all get a life!

[QUOTE=Hobbiest1;1818979]Not really sure why such acrimonious info but I will continue informing the newbies as you all bash me. I could care less really. Now maybe you should all get a life![/QUOTE]I did not bash you. I put your limited experiences into the broader Asian and Latin American context, explaining why an experienced monger would find your characterization of Shanghai as "scamhai" unjustified.

We all forewarn newcomers to Shanghai about its numerous scam artists, while also extolling its many virtues. These warnings are not a novel feature you have brought to the board. However, our warnings are balanced in context.

Shanghai friends pointed me to a couple of saunas in Minhang. Went there tonight to try. In succession, both doors were locked and the lookouts said they were closed. Did not say when they will open again. Went home disappointed. The LE are so lacking in holiday spirits.

[QUOTE=Hobbiest1;1818733]You are correct! One single incident should not label any city as a SCAM. Its just the other stuff. Like right off the flight I am taken to my hotel for 600 rmb by a SCAM taxi driver. I know because the return trip was only 180 rmb. SCAM!

Then there's the same taxi driver who offered to change my $100 usd for 600 rmb. WOW. Nice guy except two of the bills were fake. SCAM! Then we get to the destination and he trys to charge me more than we originally agreed on. SCAM!

Then there's the fun couple in the park inviting me to a "tea ceremony". SCAM! Then there's the Touts willing to take you to a 'girl bar' only to take you to a place with thugs to rob you at gunpoint. SUPER SCAM!

Get my point. SCAMHAI![/QUOTE]Since you're obviously a rookie, I'll let you in on one of our better scams here. When you use your subway card to pay the taxi, the driver palms it and returns an empty card to you. (rookie)SCAM!

Never been scammed in Shanghai. A lot have tried, but I love to just keep them talking then drop the bomb on them. Another little trick to protect yourself, take a picture of the name card in the taxi, it gives the driver name and number. It only takes 10 seconds to snap a phone picture. Most savvy travelers no how to protect them selves.

I have been to Shanghai many times and it is a relatively safe place. That is not to say that you can't get into trouble. But if you take basic precautions, you will be fine. First and foremost, as everyone has said, NEVER go with touts. If you do, then you are asking for trouble. If I were walking in NYC, I would not go with some stranger or get into his car so why do it in Shanghai. Second rule, avoid the girls or kids asking for English lessons and wanting to go for coffee or tea. Don't go with anyone in Shanghai that you don't know. I don't speak the language and taxis have never taken me the wrong way, nor have they given me the wrong change. Enjoy the city, the saunas, the WG nightclubs such as Judy's and oil massages. Just don't be stupid and you will avoid the scammers.

[QUOTE=Levitian;1818952]HB1, your experiences here in Shanghai have been bad, but it shows that you actually are far from street-smart.

It should be clear that the taxi guys at the airport waiting for you at the customs exit are no legit taxis. But, off course, they are convenient, you don't have to go down to the official taxi stand and you don't have to wait in line (BTW, the line in Pudong normally is not that long).

If you would be that street-smart, you would have done your homework before you go hunting in Shanghai, you would have 'rtff'. If so, you would probably have avoided to go with the touts and get robbed, because there were warnings enough (still do doubt the 9 mm, there are no real guns on the street in Shanghai).

SNG: ok, this can happen. I had mixed experiences with the SNG girls, some were extremely sweet, some simply too professionnel. But. Come on, get over it. She probably had a bad day.

Still, Shanghai is a good place for your hobby, if you take your time, do not rush it (and that's what you super street-smartie did, and you paid for it), and if you DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND RTFF.

'nuff said. Wish you will have a better experience next time.

Lev.[/QUOTE]I didn't get the one with "changing USD into CNY with the taxi driver" . Sorry, but this is really not street-smart, but bluntly naive.

Hi guys,

I'm new here and it looks like a resource I should have discovered years ago!!

My question. I am traveling to Shanghai in January with a friend of mine who happens to be a hot 24 year old (I am older). She is not my girlfriend but very open minded to try "things". She loves girls and wants to do as many threesomes with me as possible while we are there for 10 days. I'm not really into escorts and kinds don't feel like I need to with this hottie on my arms. Any suggestions where we can go to mix and mingle with chics that may be into such an encounter? Any help is most appreciated.

Does anyone know if the sauna in Shanghai Stadium complex (I think it was the Olympic Hotel) is still operating? Is Hong Song back up running?

999 is shut down. Was told it's gone forever but I'm not sure how much to believe.

My impression is the nonprofessional Chinese girls do not commonly go for short term fling, one night stand with strangers. I am think fewer will go for zipless 3 somes with people they barely know. Maybe your best bet is to go to those hot dance clubs / bars where the expats in Shanghai hang out to unwind and have a good time (mostly Friday and Saturday nights) and try your luck. I cannot give you names because those are not my scene.

And if you are coming to the city during the New Year or Spring Festivals, many of those expats will be out of town (home for the holidays or some beach and sun).

[QUOTE=Gigger;1819824]Hi guys,

I'm new here and it looks like a resource I should have discovered years ago!!

My question. I am traveling to Shanghai in January with a friend of mine who happens to be a hot 24 year old (I am older). She is not my girlfriend but very open minded to try "things". She loves girls and wants to do as many threesomes with me as possible while we are there for 10 days. I'm not really into escorts and kinds don't feel like I need to with this hottie on my arms. Any suggestions where we can go to mix and mingle with chics that may be into such an encounter? Any help is most appreciated.[/QUOTE]Go to SNG, Hire Cathy and be done. You can go for a lot of so so, maybe so experiences or you can just hire the highest quality and classiest in Shanghai for 3 somes.

If you want to save a few bucks go with Angie. She is well rated but no cathy.

Thanks for the ideas NorthSouth and SamCan. Npt what I was hoping for but I will keep it in mind. New Question: Assuming that we find a interested Chinese girl (non professional), what do you think is the best approach so that she doesn't feel loose or uncomfortable. I know this is a tough question to answer, but are there any cultural differences when it comes to threesomes between Chinese girls and white girls that I need to know about? I am confident that they will respond well once they get the bed, it's just getting them there that I don't want to offend any of them! Thanks for any info you have.

[QUOTE=Gigger;1819824]Hi guys,

I'm new here and it looks like a resource I should have discovered years ago!!

My question. I am traveling to Shanghai in January with a friend of mine who happens to be a hot 24 year old (I am older). She is not my girlfriend but very open minded to try "things". She loves girls and wants to do as many threesomes with me as possible while we are there for 10 days. I'm not really into escorts and kinds don't feel like I need to with this hottie on my arms. Any suggestions where we can go to mix and mingle with chics that may be into such an encounter? Any help is most appreciated.[/QUOTE]

Hi,

I'm staying in Shanghai at Mercure Royalton on Wuyi Road. Any recommendations on a place close by with hot ladies? I read that there is a nightclub in the hotel. Any reviews?

Thanks

Unfortunately it's not really the LE who trouble around in the city.

Last year there was the "big raid" in Dongguan where all the venues have been closed and all prostitution has been blown away by more than 5000 guys from a "not local" police unit. Since that the former "red light city" is dry like a monastery. The "start" for that has been a TV documentary on CCTV about illegal prostitution on Sunday, than Monday they already start to raid Dongguan.

First impossible that a documentary like that will be broadcast without permission of the central government.

Second impossible that the police arrived without pre note so fast.

So obviously that has been part of a "central strategy plan".

Now you will ask yourself why this is interesting for Shanghai?

In Shanghai in November a Journalist published a audio file recorded at a sauna and another sauna here caught a journalist who tried to videotape in the club.

So first all saunas got scared and very careful for getting videotaped.

Second there was a general rumor, that this will finally end same than it has happened in Dongguan.

Beside that there has been two raids of sauna clubs in "running business", which was also a new experience for most sauna manager. Even probably this raids have been related to the "internet cleaning activity" which has been the main focus for all police departments from middle of March to middle of October, there is still a doubt that this has been the first sign for a "Dongguan Session". But from our view all the sauna clubs and escort agencies who got raided this year have been very "active" in the internet undo caught attention by that, but no one can be really sure about that.

Actually there is a rumor that the "investigation journalists" left the city, so as more sure the venues will be about that, as less they will close to prevent trouble, which is mostly the reason why you will end up in front of a locked door.

So let's hope it will get sunny soon.


[QUOTE=NorthSouth;1819143]Shanghai friends pointed me to a couple of saunas in Minhang. Went there tonight to try. In succession, both doors were locked and the lookouts said they were closed. Did not say when they will open again. Went home disappointed. The LE are so lacking in holiday spirits.[/QUOTE]