It had to happen sometime...

It had to happen sometime that these people from China would try to rip me off. Today for lunch my co-worker and I went to this Chinese foodcourt by our office which is located within a Chinese shopping center.. but the kind where it's a million little stalls and you bargain for fake LV and Hermes. Ok so that should have been a warning sign to stay away. Anyways, I went to a place where my co-worker had eaten before and was charged triple the amount! Even though we were in conflict over a lunch which costs USD$1.50, it's the principle right?! I refused to pay and called my co-worker who set off on a verbal dueling match with the owner. The owner ignorantly said that there are different prices for locals and foreigners. Not impressed. Needless to say we won the duel and it was ok in the end but here's what I learned:

1) "Jenn, turn the friendly down!" My friends have continually told me to 'turn the friendly down' and to not be so naive. Perhaps I do need to develop my 'street smarts' but it's in me to give others the benefit of the doubt. This won't stop me from engaging in the Beijing local community but I'll up my 'game' and return to this post later on in the summer for an update!

2) Never compromise your values for anything. Isn't that what our moms always taught us?

3) I'm Canadian. Although ethnically I am Chinese, my Western culture is shown through the way I speak, act, and think.

Done my rant.. wow, blogging really is therapeutic!