Don't fall for these Chinese scams (like I did)

Here are some useful links for avoiding scams in Beijing and Shanghai.  Yours truly fell for both the tea house and the art gallery scam, so I can tell you that there is a REASON these people are called con-artists.  They are incredibly good at the subtle scam.  Most Chinese seem terrified of me, so from now on, anyone who approaches me is going to get the cold shoulder. Sorry, but it's true...

Dang it! I want my 200 yuan back! That's a long, hard day of teaching!  Supposedly the local police are completely aware of these scams but they do nothing to stop them.  
Shame on you Shanghai...

http://blog.chineseoutpost.com/2006/06/26/the-beijing-tea-scam-variations-traveler-beware/

http://www.chinatravel.net/forum/Shanghai-Warning-ESL-student-Tea-House-scam/366.html