As with all major cities around the world, living in China means you have to be aware of those slick talking individuals who would seek to part you and your hard earned money whenever possible.

Walking around Tiananmen Square, where flag-waving kids and groups of rural tourists pose stoically for pictures beneath the giant portrait of Chairman Mao, it is not uncommon to encounter the following scenario and one of the favorite scams foreigners report on.

"Hi, how are you?" You turn around to see two well-dressed, attractive, female students peering at you. They introduce themselves as Liu Feng and Wei Ping.

"What country are you from?"

Their English seems good, but they say they want to practice their speaking skills and discuss the international affairs. They're polite and if you have time on your hands, odds are you will go along with the conversation. Liu says they are heading for the old section of the city, east of the square and invites you to join them. While walking, they tell you some of the history of the area, about how they are enjoying China's rising status on the world stage and how proud they are of their country.

Liu and Wei say they are happy to show you around and it is their pleasure to act as hosts to foreign friends. You will feel special and be charmed by such geniality.

After an hour of wandering the streets, the Beijing summer heat and humidity starts taking its toll. Feeling withered, when Wei spots a tea shop and asks if you'd like to try a cup of tea served in the traditional way, it seems like an excellent idea. "Tea is refreshing and good for removing body heat," she says. You nod, trying to look equally all knowing.

A waitress welcomes you loudly.

"Welcome to our teashop," she squeals. After being seated in a secluded corner behind a bamboo screen, a person you presume to be the café owner comes over with a plate of snacks and explains the tea ceremony. She busies herself with several colorful tea jars, using a carefully choreographed mix of hot water and tea leaves before offering miniature-cup samples of each. Her arms move like elegant mini-windmills and before you know it an hour has passed. Wei says they need to get going and asks the hostess for the bill. She asks if any of us  would like to buy any tea to take home. You take one of the small packets of the brand you have been drinking and you notice the girls also order two packets each.

When the bill comes, you decide to pay as a way of thanking the girls for all their help and time. Then you realize that they also expect you to pay for the tea they're buying to take home. Questions suddenly stream through your mind. Are they fleecing the foreigner? Is this a cultural difference or misunderstanding? Is it all just paranoia on your part?

When you look at the bill, it's as if you are hallucinating! 3,500 yuan ($550). A rough calculation proves each mini-cup costs about $15 and each small packet of tea over $35. You wonder if the tea was picked in the Garden of Eden? You haggle with the hostess telling her the prices are clearly exorbitant and the discussion becomes heated. For some strange reason the two girls remain silent. The hostess declines any notion of a discount saying this is impossible in a "government teahouse." Then as if on cue, the girls begin digging in their purses and putting all the cash they have on the table, which admittedly is not much. Is this guilt, you wonder and if so whose guilt? Is your conscience being pushed into a chivalrous corner? Why would the girls bring you here if the prices were so high?

Then suddenly the penny drops.

You stand up and inform all present that you will pay 300 ($45) for your share of what you have bought and drunk, and the girls can pay for their own tea. Two men appear from nowhere and block the exit. The hostess is screeching louder than a roasting Peking duck trying to intimidate you. Wei's face is passive, not fearful, as one would expect. You give the hostess the money and take a last look at both girls, who look you in the eyes as bold as brass with a hint of a smile. You have to give them props for their effort and the way they effortlessly reeled you in a very slick scam.

The "heavies" at the door part, having lost interest and go back to their card game. One last look at the girls sees them in deep conversation with the shop owner – perhaps lecturing them on their failure in this case.

 Back on the street you realize that common sense needs to be applied always and everywhere – or you just may end up with a very big expensive storm in a very small teacup.