Recently, it exploded on the Internet, and the experience of a Chinese tourist in Indonesia is infuriating.
It all happened one night not long ago, and although no one mentioned the exact date, the image was deeply engraved in the heart of the Chinese tourist, who did not want to be named. He had just finished a trip to Indonesia, and he was supposed to be full of good memories, but who knew that he was unhappy when he left.
He stood in the queue waiting to leave the country, and the tourists in front of him passed smoothly, but when it was his turn, the Indonesian customs officer looked at him with a strange look. The staff member asked him directly in Chinese with a strong accent if he wanted to "tip."
Maybe it was because of the fatigue of traveling, or maybe it was because of cultural differences, he didn't immediately react to what the "tip" meant. When he realized that the other party was asking for a bribe, he chose to refuse because it seemed to him to be an improper request.
As a result, things turned out to be worse than he had imagined. Instead of letting him go, the customs officer reached out and snatched his passport, a swift and rude gesture. Under the watchful eye of all
The man actually tore off the corner of his passport, and his eyes revealed a kind of "what can you do with me" provocation. It all happened so suddenly that everyone around was stunned. The tourist was stunned on the spot, he didn't expect such consequences for refusing to tip.
But he's not the only one in this situation. After he sent out a video plea for help, many people jumped out and said that this is not uncommon in some countries in Southeast Asia. Some people say that when the family crossed the border in Indonesia five years ago, they were almost turned away because they did not tip.
At that time, the customs staff asked for 150,000 rupiah per person, which was almost 75.7 yuan when converted into yuan. Although this money is not a large amount, but this is a blatant bribe, who would have thought that this kind of thing would happen when he went back, he would have traveled happily.
This situation is not only in Indonesia, but also in the customs of Vietnam, Cambodia, India and other countries. For example, in Nha Trang, Vietnam, you have to put 20 yuan in your passport to pass the border smoothly, and this rule seems to be only for us.
The last time a tourist flew from Vientiane Airport to Bangkok, he was with a group of Europeans and Americans, and he was the only one who was taken out to ask for a tip. This feeling of being targeted is frustrating and infuriating.
Thailand is also a "popular" place to tip. You go to the toilet and before you can figure out the situation, someone reaches out and asks for money. That's not even if you don't give it, you may encounter the cleaner's eyes and even verbal ridicule. This is an almost unimaginable scenario in the country.
These phenomena do not only reflect the greed of customs officers in individual countries, but also reflect a stereotype and unequal treatment of us. In the eyes of some, Chinese tourists seem to have become "mobile wallets"
And not a respected traveler. This stereotype has led to a special "care" for Chinese tourists. Such attention often takes the form of bribes, harassment, or other unfair treatment.
Returning to the Chinese tourist who had an unfortunate encounter in Indonesia, his situation is not alone. Online, more and more Chinese tourists are sharing similar experiences they have encountered overseas.
There are calls on the Internet that Chinese tourists should no longer endure such unequal treatment. Some argue that this is not just a question of money, but also of dignity and the image of the country. If you have to worry about these injustices every time you go abroad, then where is the fun of traveling?
Especially in today's globalized world, tourism has become an important bridge connecting different cultures and nationalities. Every country's customs are the face of that country. If the gatekeepers in front of this façade misbehave, it will undoubtedly tarnish the country's image and create obstacles to international communication.
The tourist's plight not only raises questions about the conduct of customs officers, but also raises questions about the fairness of the international tourism environment as a whole. Obviously, there is still a long way to go to protect the rights and interests of Chinese tourists overseas.
Of course, there are also people who believe that it is very important to prepare and understand the problems that may be encountered during overseas travel. This includes having a certain understanding of the laws and regulations of the destination and understanding the local customs
In particular, in some countries where corruption is more serious, it is all the more necessary to be psychologically prepared. At the same time, when encountering similar situations, it is necessary to remain calm and seek legal ways to solve the problem, such as contacting the Chinese embassy for help.
What happened to this tourist may be just the tip of the iceberg. There have been many people who have suffered injustice before him, and their stories may not be known. It remains to be seen whether more people will suffer from the same problem after him.