Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Ever got scolded for spending too much?

Ever get blamed or scolded for spending too little whilst on a vacation at some foreign country, trying to be as thrifty as possible?

Well, a similar case happened just recently about a Hong Kong tour guide who was caught on video scolding tourists from China for spending too little during a shopping trip, and had apologised for her outburst.

The woman, identified as Li Qiaozhen, apparently got angry when the 26 tourists spent only HK$13,000 (SG$2,308) at a jewellery store.

She went on to add that they scolded her in return, using harsh language.

The self-employed tour guide said she did not have a basic income and admitted that she received commissions from tourists' spending, although it accounts for only a small
portion of her income.

She said she only received HK$50 per person for the two days she was with the tourists.

Perhaps Hong Kong should issue some regulations to protect tourists to their country.

I also wonder if Singaporean tour guides have a similar practice of taking tourists on 'forced-to-shop' tours in Singapore.

No one likes being forced. Being forced to spend more when there is not a need to will certainly cause one to feel uncomfortable. Going for a holiday overseas is already a hole in the pocket, spending more will cost one a bomb.