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Q: Was I wrong? (pedicab edition)
Last night I took a pedicab. Before I got on, I told the guy I only wanted to pay 5 RMB for the ride. He refused, so I walked away. Then he chased me and said he would take me for 6, so I confirmed with him it was 6. He agreed, then I got on. After we arrived at my destination, I said 6 RMB again. Then he said something along the lines of "no it's 8! how is it 6 for that long a ride?" (the ride was less than 5 minutes). Then I argued with him, handed him the 6 RMB, and then just walked away. He didn't follow me. Now my question is, was I wrong to hand him the 6 RMB when he was clearly trying to pull a fast one? He even said when I was on the bike that "Chinese people won't try to screw you over" yet he was clearly trying to. Has anyone else ever walked away from a pedicab after getting a ride without paying?
Edit: For clarification if it matters, the pedicab here is a motorized bike.
You were correct to pay only 6. have only walked away from a san lun, one time, as the driver crashed into a scooter, not going to wait around. have walked away from taxis numerous times, when knew i was getting scammed
I often take the motorbike taxis here, they are cheap and fast going through the traffic. I always ask the price (and bargain if needed) before I get on, otherwise they try to make you pay the price of a regular cab if not more.
I wouldn't argue over anything less than 10 RMB. It's a pleasure not to have those coins jangling about in my pocket all day.
Nah, you did the right thing. Man has to learn that a deal is a deal.
I think many of us know that interactions with Chinese usually incur a 80-90% chance they will try to rip you off.
In Shi He Zi last year a bloke wanted to charge me Y50 for a ride along the market street, about 200m. I laughed and told him to shove it. He chased me and I waved him away.
Then my wife, who he hadn't seen, asked him to take her along the same route and he quoted her 5, or 10...I forget which. She told him to shove it and we both laughed as we walked away. At the same time we felt a bit sad.
And no, you weren't wrong.
I don't know why you're asking this.... no problems with what you've done at all!
