Well and truly had ... again :)

Well and truly had ... again :), originally uploaded by sazztastical.

Ok so I've already explained that the Shanghainese have an ability to pick us out of a crowd and sell us any old tut right? Well today they did real good.

Three very nice, very well spoken students approached us as we came out of People's Square and were just taking a moment having a sit and a drink to cool down. They started chatting away in perfect English and after chatting to us for about 10 minutes asked if we wanted to go with them to a tea ceremony about 5 minutes down the road.

I thought something might be up but figured as long as I was aware of it nothing too bad could happen - good job.

It was actually really nice but we were told before we started that it would cost 38 Yuan (approx £2.50) per tea we tasted each and £2 each for the tea ceremony itself.

After 6 teas I was completely aware that the three of them were obviously on a commission so waited for the final bill to come along - and as predicted they suggested that as they are students would we mind paying half the bill and the would pay the other half. This was after we had refused to buy any tea to take with us as ridiculous prices.

So, although it went against everything I usually do, I just said that we couldn't do that because we were travelling and on a tight budget so they would have to pay for themselves. They didn't seem too happy but couldn't really do much about it. Doubt they worried too much as they got about £40 out of us for an hour and a half.

We were a bit annoyed to start with, after we got out of there, but then I figured that we had actually had a really nice time and had got to try loads of different teas that we probably wouldn't have managed - including this one with a flower in it. Not quite Tetley's but it's quite close :)

Tomorrow I shall find out how we'll be had again and shall let you know - these little Shanghainese, they very very crafty little buggers but I can be craftier! :)