没有弄到公务舱，服务台的女士给我一个不错的座位，靠近进出口的地方，这样可以有足够的空间伸腿。坐下来，旁边是一位要去北京开会的UIUC的博士后，出生于Idaho，一直在UIUC学习，已婚，还有4个孩子，最大的8岁，最小的才1岁，真是能干。

因为这是他10年来第一次离开美国，我免不了免费地给他上了一点北京的常识课。从吃喝玩和购物等，我基本掏空了自己那本来就不满的肚囊。在回答他从机场到他的宾馆打出租需要多少钱这个问题的时候，我根据自己的经验，告诉他，如果正常行驶，应该不超过90，如果有拥挤，也不会超过120，所以120应该是你的底线。同时，我告诉他，如果超过这个价格，基本就会有问题，你可以将出租车的号码抄下来投诉。果然，这样的事情发生了。请看他今天早上给我发来的邮件，太火爆了，大家看吧，我就不翻译了。

北京的司机同志们，还是要守一点职业道德啊。估计这个伙计没有找到正规的出租车，我还已再叮嘱他要在地下一层找车子。

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

接下来的四天要在北京开会，我这时差好像根本没有倒过来，估计是老了！