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This happened in 2001 when there was less surveillance. Although the hotel we were staying at (foreigners only) had cameras everywhere, including one on the ce
by anonymousiam 6y ago
This happened in 2001 when there was less surveillance. Although the hotel we were staying at (foreigners only) had cameras everywhere, including one on the ceiling just outside our door.
The restaurant staff did not betray any information to me. That is why they were horrified. It put them in a diffiuclt position. I assume that they would not accept my money because of the risk that it might flow back to the chief that I had paid.
- SZJX 6y agoYep 2001 is pretty much night and day compared to how things work now. Not sure when was the last time you were in China but the impression you get would surely be very different. Also I didn't totally understand your point, since the host paying for the meal is the only right thing to do in the Chinese culture. Of course, when it was in 2001, the police chief probably covered the meal using public money, if by corruption this is what you mean. (By no means would the restaurant be asked to just give out food for free.) As someone also pointed out, this has become much harder after Xi's crackdown on such spending.
- anonymousiam 6y agoMy impression was that the Chief did not cover the meal at all, except through his influence. The restaurant was "gifting" the meal to him in exchange for something. Perhaps it was "protection", or perhaps it was a "get out of jail free" card related to other corruption.