Pi Xiu or Tian Lu
The fourth type of shop/factory/outlet that holiday group tourist must visit is one that sells Pi Xiu/Tian Lu. Again, the tour group was told that everyone must enter the shop so that the company can answer to the 'government'.
Geomancer
We visited one pi xiu shop in Taiwan. In the room, the sifu/geomancer will introduce the product and state the difference, the beliefs, etc. The selling point is usually about harmony in the family and the inflow of wealth into one's home. If one is a believer in geomancy or even has one ounce of belief in such practices, he/she will be easily moved to purchase at least one ( a small one, maybe) before he/she leaves the shop. Most of the pi xiu products are made from 'jade' but often than not, the material used is plastic/a kind of greenish stone.
Beliefs
The buyer is told specifically not to mention its price to others. By the time he gets back to Singapore and have it assessed, he will discovered that he had paid 10 times the 'valuation' price!!! Another 'no-no' is not to allow other people to touch your pi xiu, not even your own siblings (my wife's sister who bought one, did not allow her to touch the pi xiu or even look at it during the Taiwan trip) as 'fortune will flow away from you to the other person'. Also one must always bring it (small one) along in a bag and stroke it regularly to be continually blessed with good fortune especially if one is gambling/in a casino/playing mahjong.
To one its own. I am not against any of such beliefs/geomancy, etc. I was only astonished that such ' lessons learnt about the product' and the superstitions eschewed during the tour were so deeply believed by some people that they cloud their judgement. I wonder if such similar things happen to those who visit the pi xiu shops in Singapore.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Zhangjiajie 2 - The River China
The itinerary for the 10-day Zhangjiajie Tour included a 4-day river cruise along the Yangtze River which is the 3rd longest river in the world. This idyllic cruise is an antidote for the 4 days of climbing up and down steps and slopes of the mountainous region. A great way to relax, not too long nor too short.
The cruise ship passed through the three gorges, Xiling, Qutang and Wu. The scenes are similar all throughout the journey along the Yangtze.
The cruise ship passed through the three gorges, Xiling, Qutang and Wu. The scenes are similar all throughout the journey along the Yangtze.
Zhangjiajie 1 - The Mountains
Google 'Zhangjiajie' you will find a lot of beautiful photographs of its vast scenery, mountains mostly, which usually are associated with the film "Avatar" (Wulingyuan Scenic Area). The area is now very touristy but its rawness is still evident. It is situated in the northwestern part of Hunan Province, China
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Reached the top of "gate to heaven" after 999 steps from base
The other side of "gate to heaven"
Group picture at the base of 'gate to heaven' Tianmeng Tong at Tianzi Mountain
Below are the various views of the beautiful scenery which inspired the movie "Avatar". There are deep gorges and cliff mountains, scenes prevalent in Chinese art/paintings.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Holiday Group Tours - The Gullible Tourists 2
The Gullible Tourists 2 - Medical Hall
After jewellery, the other common factory outlet that Holiday Tour Groups have to visit is the 'Medicine Centre'.
In Chengdu we experienced an unforgettable incident. In the itinerary, it was supposed to be a Foot Massage session at a medical hall. After so much of walking and sitting on the tour b us, it was a welcome relief, not knowing that we will be shocked.
Leg Massage
It began simple enough that we were told to place our bare foot in a basin of warm medical liquid. The masseuse softly massaged our feet and calf half heartedly. After about 5 minutes, a group of white coated personnel came in, introducing themselves as 'sifu'. There was a leader amongst them, who, we were told, happened to be there as he often travelled around.
While still grabbing our feet, the 'sifus' positioned themselves among us, looking into our eyes, skin, etc. The common illness they identified was 'fatty liver'. They then proceed to use their 'qigong' to clear our blood stream or nerves. We were like sheep trapped in a pool of water as we could not move unless we forcibly do so. Majority of the members remained seated and listened to the 'sifu's' advice.
The stronger ones forced themselves off but they were not many.
Blood
The chief sifu then used the cup suction method to 'draw' blood from some of the members, creating great concern amongst those who saw what happened and believed. To solve the 'problem', the types of medicine were then introduced and shown. We were still leg-bound in the basin of liquid, not able to move out.
Credit card
It was a big mistake for those who took out and hand their credit card to the servers. The amount of medicine purchased was based on 'monthly intake' starting with the minimum of 3 months for it to take minimum effect, amounting to about S$600! When the take up rate was low, some sifus started to spoke loudly that they cared for our health and if we were to deny, it was our fault. At this moment, the psychological fear of being sick, when you might not be, struck and one became vulnerable. When we asked for our credit card back, they delayed and dithered. We literally have to snatch it back from their hands!!!
Trash
On reaching home, we decided not to take the medicine as it was an unknown oral prescription. We felt conned but then we signed for it with open eyes..... By throwing the powder down the drain with great relish, we also felt pain at the same time on the money lost. We swore not to be fool again the next time.
One other medical hall dealt with a type of cream which can heal any burn wound. The demonstration involved a gongfu master grabbing a red hot rod and then applying the cream to show its curative effect.
Anything that is used externally may be purchased but not those which we ingest!!!
After jewellery, the other common factory outlet that Holiday Tour Groups have to visit is the 'Medicine Centre'.
In Chengdu we experienced an unforgettable incident. In the itinerary, it was supposed to be a Foot Massage session at a medical hall. After so much of walking and sitting on the tour b us, it was a welcome relief, not knowing that we will be shocked.
Leg Massage
It began simple enough that we were told to place our bare foot in a basin of warm medical liquid. The masseuse softly massaged our feet and calf half heartedly. After about 5 minutes, a group of white coated personnel came in, introducing themselves as 'sifu'. There was a leader amongst them, who, we were told, happened to be there as he often travelled around.
While still grabbing our feet, the 'sifus' positioned themselves among us, looking into our eyes, skin, etc. The common illness they identified was 'fatty liver'. They then proceed to use their 'qigong' to clear our blood stream or nerves. We were like sheep trapped in a pool of water as we could not move unless we forcibly do so. Majority of the members remained seated and listened to the 'sifu's' advice.
The stronger ones forced themselves off but they were not many.
Blood
The chief sifu then used the cup suction method to 'draw' blood from some of the members, creating great concern amongst those who saw what happened and believed. To solve the 'problem', the types of medicine were then introduced and shown. We were still leg-bound in the basin of liquid, not able to move out.
Credit card
It was a big mistake for those who took out and hand their credit card to the servers. The amount of medicine purchased was based on 'monthly intake' starting with the minimum of 3 months for it to take minimum effect, amounting to about S$600! When the take up rate was low, some sifus started to spoke loudly that they cared for our health and if we were to deny, it was our fault. At this moment, the psychological fear of being sick, when you might not be, struck and one became vulnerable. When we asked for our credit card back, they delayed and dithered. We literally have to snatch it back from their hands!!!
Trash
On reaching home, we decided not to take the medicine as it was an unknown oral prescription. We felt conned but then we signed for it with open eyes..... By throwing the powder down the drain with great relish, we also felt pain at the same time on the money lost. We swore not to be fool again the next time.
One other medical hall dealt with a type of cream which can heal any burn wound. The demonstration involved a gongfu master grabbing a red hot rod and then applying the cream to show its curative effect.
Anything that is used externally may be purchased but not those which we ingest!!!
Holiday Group Tour - The Gullible Tourists 3
The Gullible Tourists - 3
The third common product which the factory/outlet thrust to the group tourists is TEA especially in China and Taiwan. each country and each province claimed theirs to be the best and has the best health effect after drinking.
In the 5000 years of Chinese history, tea and the drinking of tea culture were well documented. The older the tea, the more expensive. That was why these tea producing/packing outlets would usually show slabs of expensive tea with certificate of guarantee of its age. This was done in a room where the salesperson would give out sample of freshly brewed tea.
Pogency
In the recent visit to Zhangjiajie, the tea company showed the group 'tea pogency', an extract from the black tea which was made into pill form. This powder can be used for many purposes eg minimize aging when applied to the skin, etc beside being consumed. The salesperson claimed loudly that Mr Lee Hsien Loong, our Prime Minister is using it. There is no way to authenticate this claim unless we ask the PM himself. With such a claim and gullible believers present, it was no wonder that the pills went off the shelf quickly!
Red tea, green tea, black tea, each claiming its qualities. For those who are no tea drinkers, stick to boiled water instead of departing with a sizeable sum for the tea, only to find cheaper imported version back in Singapore. However, it must be said that the salespersons in the tea shops/outlets were not as persistent or hardselling as those from the jewellery or medical hall.
The third common product which the factory/outlet thrust to the group tourists is TEA especially in China and Taiwan. each country and each province claimed theirs to be the best and has the best health effect after drinking.
In the 5000 years of Chinese history, tea and the drinking of tea culture were well documented. The older the tea, the more expensive. That was why these tea producing/packing outlets would usually show slabs of expensive tea with certificate of guarantee of its age. This was done in a room where the salesperson would give out sample of freshly brewed tea.
Pogency
In the recent visit to Zhangjiajie, the tea company showed the group 'tea pogency', an extract from the black tea which was made into pill form. This powder can be used for many purposes eg minimize aging when applied to the skin, etc beside being consumed. The salesperson claimed loudly that Mr Lee Hsien Loong, our Prime Minister is using it. There is no way to authenticate this claim unless we ask the PM himself. With such a claim and gullible believers present, it was no wonder that the pills went off the shelf quickly!
Red tea, green tea, black tea, each claiming its qualities. For those who are no tea drinkers, stick to boiled water instead of departing with a sizeable sum for the tea, only to find cheaper imported version back in Singapore. However, it must be said that the salespersons in the tea shops/outlets were not as persistent or hardselling as those from the jewellery or medical hall.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Holidays Group Tours - The Gullible Tourists 1
Holidays Group Tours - The Gullible Tourist 1
Not knowing much about the country and the wish to have everything arranged, we have been joining group tours to countries nearby and far. One bugbear about these group tours was the visits to gift shops, outlet factories, etc being part of the itinerary, some obviously stated and some subtlely added. It seemed that the cheaper the tour price, the more of such visits in the itinerary. The tour leader or guide would state that it was the local government's good intention to publicise these special factories or outlet for the good of the people. Such practices are very prevalent China and Taiwan tours, very much lesser in Japanese tours.
The Outlets
The usual outlets deal with products like TEA, SILK, MEDICINE, STONES, CROCKERY, PEARLS and JEWELLERIES.
The supersalesman at the Jewellery shop
During the stopover at such shops, the tour guide will ensure that everyone alight from the bus and ushered into the outlet/factory. The smarter traveller will make excuses of going to the toilet or for a smoke and then detour from the main group, out of the outlet/factory. Like sheeps to the slaughter, the whole bus load will be ushered into a room which is located deep in the outlet/factory, passing through showcases of jewelleries manned by salespersons.
Once in the room, a sales person will make a short intro before 'checking' to see whether the manager/owner is in. Usually it is our luck/good omen that he is IN at this moment for a short period of time. Shortly, the manager/owner will make his entrance. The whole room claps and that is where and when the whole supersale job begins.
FIRST : After a short intro and welcome, he/she will cook up a somewhat sad sad story which goes along these lines
...... he/she had wanted to lead a sin-free and peaceful life;
.....he/she was a former monk/nun in repentance but is now settled down;
....... he had served in a monastery (usually Thai);
.......he or his parent wanted to thank Singaporeans for giving him a second chance to do good;
........ all proceeds for the day will go to charity
.........praises for young men or women or those who wanted to stand out in the group eg those who talk a lot or those who identified their nationality other than the majority.
During the deliberately slow monotone, he will pepper it with requests for applause. By the middle of his story, he would have sized up the audience who, by now, be hooked psychologically and emotionally. His 'inspirational speaker' talk will have all of them hooked up, bait, line, sinker and all unless one is tough enough or mentally prepared to resist such strong pull. One way to resist is to play with your handphone. Another is to nod vigorously without listening (takes practice to do it) or daydream away from the noise.
NOW, the sales began.
A series of 'non expensive' items will be brought out, The low prices eg S$4 for a string of white-stone necklace, S$10 for a goldplated pendant, etc will enticed the group to reach for their loose pockets. The real show will come after!
Then the super salesman will bring out his 'family treasures' which are 'reluctantly' placed for sale. During our recent tour to Zhangjiajie in June, this supersalesman showed a set of 'ruby' family treasure (necklace pendant, earrings and finger ring). He showed the 'authencity ' of the stones by shining a laser light on it to create a spectrum of light. Impressive!! Three families in our group of 50 each bought a set for S$1000, down from the first price of S$1200. A bargain indeed!! However, on closer examination and certification by our local goldsmith in Singapore, the whole set was valued at the most S$100. The stones are not real ruby at all. By then it is too late, a con job well done and
it will not make sense for the purchaser to go all the way back to the outlet to demand anything, not worth the trouble. There is no guarantee that one can get anything back even when presenting the supplied 'authenticity certificate'.
Another 'family treasure' the supersalesman brought out was a religious medal/amulet, made from very dark green (almost black) jade with an image in gold flakes encased. The religious elements were mentioned eg prayers, peace, harmony in family, health blessings, etc. Inevitably there will be interested parties. Those who expressed their wish to examine it were then ushered individually or in pair to other special rooms. Three families purchased them as they were wearing them immediately after the visit. Two families refused to disclose the amount they paid for it. One family revealed that it cost them S$3000. Worth it? It is all in the mind and heart.
We would not brand these super salesmen as con-men because we did not buy the expensive items. The buyers opened their pockets and signed with their eyes open. Those who bought and felt 'cheated' would definitely console themselves and justified the purchase that they have bought it for a better purpose regardless of the price. There is no recourse in the wide wide world especially China.
Not knowing much about the country and the wish to have everything arranged, we have been joining group tours to countries nearby and far. One bugbear about these group tours was the visits to gift shops, outlet factories, etc being part of the itinerary, some obviously stated and some subtlely added. It seemed that the cheaper the tour price, the more of such visits in the itinerary. The tour leader or guide would state that it was the local government's good intention to publicise these special factories or outlet for the good of the people. Such practices are very prevalent China and Taiwan tours, very much lesser in Japanese tours.
The Outlets
The usual outlets deal with products like TEA, SILK, MEDICINE, STONES, CROCKERY, PEARLS and JEWELLERIES.
The supersalesman at the Jewellery shop
During the stopover at such shops, the tour guide will ensure that everyone alight from the bus and ushered into the outlet/factory. The smarter traveller will make excuses of going to the toilet or for a smoke and then detour from the main group, out of the outlet/factory. Like sheeps to the slaughter, the whole bus load will be ushered into a room which is located deep in the outlet/factory, passing through showcases of jewelleries manned by salespersons.
Once in the room, a sales person will make a short intro before 'checking' to see whether the manager/owner is in. Usually it is our luck/good omen that he is IN at this moment for a short period of time. Shortly, the manager/owner will make his entrance. The whole room claps and that is where and when the whole supersale job begins.
FIRST : After a short intro and welcome, he/she will cook up a somewhat sad sad story which goes along these lines
...... he/she had wanted to lead a sin-free and peaceful life;
.....he/she was a former monk/nun in repentance but is now settled down;
....... he had served in a monastery (usually Thai);
.......he or his parent wanted to thank Singaporeans for giving him a second chance to do good;
........ all proceeds for the day will go to charity
.........praises for young men or women or those who wanted to stand out in the group eg those who talk a lot or those who identified their nationality other than the majority.
During the deliberately slow monotone, he will pepper it with requests for applause. By the middle of his story, he would have sized up the audience who, by now, be hooked psychologically and emotionally. His 'inspirational speaker' talk will have all of them hooked up, bait, line, sinker and all unless one is tough enough or mentally prepared to resist such strong pull. One way to resist is to play with your handphone. Another is to nod vigorously without listening (takes practice to do it) or daydream away from the noise.
NOW, the sales began.
A series of 'non expensive' items will be brought out, The low prices eg S$4 for a string of white-stone necklace, S$10 for a goldplated pendant, etc will enticed the group to reach for their loose pockets. The real show will come after!
Then the super salesman will bring out his 'family treasures' which are 'reluctantly' placed for sale. During our recent tour to Zhangjiajie in June, this supersalesman showed a set of 'ruby' family treasure (necklace pendant, earrings and finger ring). He showed the 'authencity ' of the stones by shining a laser light on it to create a spectrum of light. Impressive!! Three families in our group of 50 each bought a set for S$1000, down from the first price of S$1200. A bargain indeed!! However, on closer examination and certification by our local goldsmith in Singapore, the whole set was valued at the most S$100. The stones are not real ruby at all. By then it is too late, a con job well done and
it will not make sense for the purchaser to go all the way back to the outlet to demand anything, not worth the trouble. There is no guarantee that one can get anything back even when presenting the supplied 'authenticity certificate'.
Another 'family treasure' the supersalesman brought out was a religious medal/amulet, made from very dark green (almost black) jade with an image in gold flakes encased. The religious elements were mentioned eg prayers, peace, harmony in family, health blessings, etc. Inevitably there will be interested parties. Those who expressed their wish to examine it were then ushered individually or in pair to other special rooms. Three families purchased them as they were wearing them immediately after the visit. Two families refused to disclose the amount they paid for it. One family revealed that it cost them S$3000. Worth it? It is all in the mind and heart.
We would not brand these super salesmen as con-men because we did not buy the expensive items. The buyers opened their pockets and signed with their eyes open. Those who bought and felt 'cheated' would definitely console themselves and justified the purchase that they have bought it for a better purpose regardless of the price. There is no recourse in the wide wide world especially China.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
The Quests
Jap Chong of The Quests dies of heart attack on Sunday 2nd March 2014 aged 71
The group was one of the two local bands which I adored since my teenage years. The other is Heather and The Thunderbirds. During those days, I could only watch them on television and buy their records as I was too poor to attend concerts and parties. From afar, I would admire Jap Chong as, to my eyes, he was the most outstanding member of the group and of course, the handsomest. There were so many memorable songs by the group eg "Mustapha", "Da Doo Ron Ron" and the cover of the Shadows "Wonderful Land" , "Apache", etc. However, their own composition, "Shanty" topped it all. The other song I love is "Don't Play the Song (You Lied)".In my older days, I managed to watch them perform live. The band would always accept the invitation to play in "Kampong Nites" at St Mary's of the Angel, where I could really watch them close. As usual, Jap stood out with his showmanship and talent.
May Jap rest in peace in heaven and bring joy to those up their with his music.
(From left to right: Henry Chua, Vernon Cornelius, Reggie Verghese, Jap Chong and Lim Wee Guan)
THE QUESTS - VIDEO TRIBUTE. From "Rollin' Good Times" television show, 26th of Sept. 1994, Singapore Broadcasting Corp. Jessica Soo, compere.
Source : JoeWuSeattleWaUSA at Youtube
Lyrics of "Don't Play the Song"
Don't play that song for me
'Cause it brings back memories
Of days that I once knew
The days that I spent with you
Oh no, don't let him play it
It fills my heart with pain
Please stop it right away
I remember just-a what he said
He said darling, "Darling, I love you"
And I know that he lied
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied, you lied,
You lied, lied, lied, lied (to me)
Hey Mr., don't play it no more
Don't play it no more
I can't stand it, don't play it no more
Don't play it no more, no more, no more
I Remember on our first date
He kissed me and he walked away
I was only seventeen
I didn't think he could be so mean
He told me darling
"Darling, I love you"
Baby, baby you lied
"Darling, I need you"
Oooooh you lied
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied, lied, lied (to me)
Ohh darling
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied
"Darling I need you"
You know I know you lied
"Darling, I love you:
Darling you lied, you lied, you lied
Oooh you lied to me
Don't play it no more
I can't stand it
Don't play it no more
(repeat to fade)
'Cause it brings back memories
Of days that I once knew
The days that I spent with you
Oh no, don't let him play it
It fills my heart with pain
Please stop it right away
I remember just-a what he said
He said darling, "Darling, I love you"
And I know that he lied
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied, you lied,
You lied, lied, lied, lied (to me)
Hey Mr., don't play it no more
Don't play it no more
I can't stand it, don't play it no more
Don't play it no more, no more, no more
I Remember on our first date
He kissed me and he walked away
I was only seventeen
I didn't think he could be so mean
He told me darling
"Darling, I love you"
Baby, baby you lied
"Darling, I need you"
Oooooh you lied
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied, lied, lied (to me)
Ohh darling
"Darling, I love you"
You know that you lied
"Darling I need you"
You know I know you lied
"Darling, I love you:
Darling you lied, you lied, you lied
Oooh you lied to me
Don't play it no more
I can't stand it
Don't play it no more
(repeat to fade)
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