Shanghai Tricks

Avoid the pretty English-speaking local girls goading men into coffee and conversation... What resembles a genuine invitation could be a press-ganging to a pricey cafe or bar and the unexpected presentation of a staggering bill. Just pretend you don't speak English...

-Lonely Planet, Shanghai

I know I'm not a man and tea isn't coffee, but I had my guard up when stopped three times on the way to the Shanghai Museum. Obviously not a local, I had my map in hand and probably looked a bit lost when approached by three girls.

Them: Do you need help?

Me: Just looking for the museum.

Them: Where you from?

Me: US

Them: Ohh... USA. Very good! How long you here?

Me: Just a few days. Is the museum that way?

Them: Oh, yes. Just past that building but we just came from here and it was very crowded. Take a break.

Me: Take a break? It's closed?

Them: Too many people. We go back at 3:00, you too.

Me: Oh.

Them: There's a tea expo just over there behind that building. Come with us.

Me: No, thank you. That's very nice but I want to go to the museum.

Them: Why? But we said to you it is very crowded. Come with us. We can practice our English. It is not very good.

Me: No, your English is very good! Thanks but I'm going to the museum still. Bye!

After walking for 5 minutes I was stopped by a Chinese couple....

Them: Hello, where you from?

Me: USA

Them: Wow. Where are you going?

Me: Shanghai Museum. Is it that way?

Them: Yes, but we're going to a tea expo. You can come with us first.

Me: Oh, that's nice but no thank you. I want to get to the museum before it closes.

Them: You need more time to see the museum. It's late now. You need a full day.

Me: Maybe I will come back tomorrow if I don't finish. Thanks!

Them: Okay...

5 minutes later... another couple...

Them: Excuse me, will you take our picture?

Me: Sure

Them: Where you from?

Me: USA

Them: Very far! Where you going?

Me: Shanghai Museum

Them: We're going to a tea expo just over there. You should come with us.

Me: (chuckling now) No, thanks. I need to get to the museum before they close. Bye!

I still don't know if any encounters were scams or if Shanghai locals really love to invite foreigners to tea expos, but when I arrived at the museum it was not at all crowded like the first three girls told me.... sneaky...