沒有弄到公務艙，服務台的女士給我一個不錯的座位，靠近進出口的地方，這樣可以有足夠的空間伸腿。坐下來，旁邊是一位要去北京開會的UIUC的博士後，出生於Idaho，一直在UIUC學習，已婚，還有4個孩子，最大的8歲，最小的才1歲，真是能幹。

因為這是他10年來第一次離開美國，我免不了免費地給他上了一點北京的常識課。從吃喝玩和購物等，我基本掏空了自己那本來就不滿的肚囊。在回答他從機場到他的賓館打出租需要多少錢這個問題的時候，我根據自己的經驗，告訴他，如果正常行駛，應該不超過90，如果有擁擠，也不會超過120，所以120應該是你的底線。同時，我告訴他，如果超過這個價格，基本就會有問題，你可以將出租車的號碼抄下來投訴。果然，這樣的事情發生了。請看他今天早上給我發來的郵件，太火爆了，大家看吧，我就不翻譯了。

北京的司機同志們，還是要守一點職業道德啊。估計這個夥計沒有找到正規的出租車，我還已再叮囑他要在地下一層找車子。

xxxx，

Again, I wanted to thank you for the time you spent educating me on the
systems here.  Your information was really useful.  I must be a beacon for
scamming.

In waiting for the Taxi, one of the airport guys and the taxi could not
read the road name on the paper I showed them, so the airport person
called someone and very quickly and unmarked car pulled up and he tried to
convince me that it was my ride to the hotel for 300 RMB.  I said no and
against his protest, I got in a regular taxi.

Then as we were leaving the airport, the taxi picked up one additional
person, and he proceeded to convince me that it was at least 150 RMB for
taxi ride to the Hotel.  I had to bargain him down and we was firm about
120 and that the price would not be split between the two of us riders.
He was the worst driver on the road and using the shoulder as a passing
lane, etc.  He was quite more dangerous than others on the road, but my
book told me to expect that.  When I arrived at the hotel, I took a
picture of the meter and the license plate of his car and the price
instantly dropped to 70 RMB.  The guys who met me at the hotel said that
it was an OK fare but should be 60 RMB.  I probably would have not known
better on this one if I would not have spoken with you.  Thanks for the
help.
。。。。
xxxx

接下來的四天要在北京開會，我這時差好像根本沒有倒過來，估計是老了！