Arriving at the bus or railway station in a new city might be one of the most scary experience for someone traveling around China. Reason? Taxi drivers. What’s so scary about them? Check yourself.
You’re on a trip to another city. For the first time you’re going somewhere without your Chinese chaperon. In case of any difficulties, you’ll have to overcome them on your own. Considering that you do not speak Chinese, preparation for this trip took some time and thinking on your part. There is however one encounter you haven’t anticipated.
Your bus has just arrived to its destination. You’re leaving the bus station. The very moment you emerge from the gate, you’re being surrounded by a large group of men. They are shouting something to you. Some of them are pulling your clothes, hands or bag. You’re scared out of you mind. What the hell is this all about?!
Well that were… taxi drivers. They didn’t mean any harm. They were just trying to ‘catch’ a new client. They do this always when a new bus or train come to the station. Most Chinese people are not taken aback in the slightest by this commotion. The thing is, for Westerner not knowing what those people want, it might turn to really dreadful experience. Not to mention that competition over foreign customers might get quite fierce. To the point it seriously might prompt you to run.
So what you should do when you’re trying to leave the station?
Be brave!
Your bus has just arrived to its destination. You’re leaving the bus station. The very moment you emerge from the gate, you’re being surrounded by a large group of men. They are shouting something to you. Some of them are pulling your clothes, hands or bag. You’re scared out of you mind. What the hell is this all about?!
Well that were… taxi drivers. They didn’t mean any harm. They were just trying to ‘catch’ a new client. They do this always when a new bus or train come to the station. Most Chinese people are not taken aback in the slightest by this commotion. The thing is, for Westerner not knowing what those people want, it might turn to really dreadful experience. Not to mention that competition over foreign customers might get quite fierce. To the point it seriously might prompt you to run.
So what you should do when you’re trying to leave the station?
- Don’t panic. It’s not a threat. So stay cool (but keep an eye on your belongings – can’t say for sure that there will be no pickpockets among those people).
- Do you need a taxi? If you don’t, just brush them off and calmly walk your own way.
- If you need a taxi, you should first look around. At most stations in a big cities there should be a taxi stand nearby. Look for it (there should be signs pointing the direction). There would be taxis civilly waiting in line. That’s your best choice. Those pushy drivers are the one driving off book, which means that they will charge you more than regular fee.
- If you can’t find taxi stand (in rare cases there might not be one) you can just stand near the crossing and wave at the taxis passing by (that’s how you catch a taxi in China). If you still can’t find any, than you can always get back to that pushy crowd. They will be more than willing to get you. Just make sure to negotiate the price before you get on the car.
Be brave!
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