You know... I have a lot of questions from people asking me if a KTV is better or Sauna? or BBS? There are a lot of stories online that you can hear about experiences that have turned bad. Getting overcharged, etc... Its the same for all 3 places. Actually less for Saunas.
Let me give you some answers.
Saunas - This is a pure and simple "sex brothel". If you venture into the right place at the right time of the day, then you can have a very good time. If you go into a wrong place, you might not even get a quickie. You might have gone to a "veggie" stall by mistake. You might go on the wrong time of the day when a lot of the girls are not working yet, etc. But overall speaking, if you are looking for a pure release and do not want to go thru the whole enchilada of drinking and warming up to a girl, sauna is best for you. Everyone of them has a standard pricing and I havent heard of anyone being overcharged because they are new, stupid or whatever. Most saunas are more expensive up north in Shanghai, Beijing and cheaper down south. Service can be different everywhere. DongGuan area has the best sauna service in China, my views only. Prices are pretty standard. If you go to a sauna in a Hotel, its usually safe. Dont go to a shady joint in the middle of nowhere. You might get into trouble especially if you are a foreigner. This includes chinese wo are not from mainland China. These people can tell immediately. No matter how good your PuTongHua is. Its how we talked, how we dressed.
BBS - I have been to quite a few BBS around China. Cheap. Usually 150 or so for a quickie. I have read a lot of people that likes these kind of places cause they are fast and cheap. Quite true. But you have to understand, these are people who has gone to these places numerous times and they know what to look out for. You have to be very careful. Usually, these places are shady. The places where you see the girls lined up are usually not the place where you fuck. You will be brought to a back room or a room upstairs or a unit a few units down. Its ok in the day time but what about at night. Imagine being brought down an alley or walking upstairs in a dark area and then a few guys coming out to rob you. It will definitely cost you more than 150. Like I said day trips are ok but not at night. Another thing is, go with a taxi driver. Pay him something extra, 50-100 to wait outside. Get his phone number and call him if there is any trouble. At least you have someone local to rely on. The best thing is to negotiate with the mummy and bring the girl out to your hotel for an outcall instead of doing it there. Its usually dirty. I have never met a place that is clean. Of course, I am from Canada so "dirty" is very subjective. I rather pay 100 more and have the girl come over with me than do it at her place. At least I can have the peace of mind that it will be safe. All-nighter is also negotiable. At least keep the phone number of the girl and let her know that you will be calling after 12 midnight to come over to your hotel. Its cheaper after 12 for a all-nighter.
KTV - A lot of stories about the high prices at KTV when all you need is a girl to stay for the night. Depends on the guy. Some guys like the company of girls and having a good time drinking and playing games in a KTV room. I always enjoy myself in a KTV. You might say that you dont sing. Well, neither do I. I speak PuTongHua but dont know shit how to read. I can't sing at all. But I enjoying playing drinking games. I might write an article about all the different games we played in the near future. Price wise, it could be low or it could be eccessively high. Depends on how you control the situation.
This is how I do it. I usually go with a group of guys. The most important person who can be on your side is not the Manager or the Mummy. They want you to spend more because they get a cut from your KTV bill. The only person that do not get anything extra is the DJ. She only gets 200 as her tips. So I would give her 100 or 200 in the beginning. I would tell her that this is extra and not part of the endnight tips. She has to help me keep the costs down. I wouldnt mind spending money but not wasting money. A DJ can do a lot in helping you waste or save money. Things that can be extras:
1. Tissue box - Each box will cost you 30-50 depending on the place. WGs and DJs will use the tissues to clean tables, ash trays, consistently. You can use up a box in 5 mins. I remembered there was a party in TaoYuen in CP. It was the largest KTV in CP at that time. Now its the Mayflower. Both KTVs have at least 800 during the weekend and both uses the "Flower Street" to show girls. Although there were 8 guys and 12 girls, we end up using 30 boxes of tissues. Thats like a 1000RMB that were not needed. A good DJ will not use a tissue to clean. She uses a table cloth.
2. Drinking water - A lot of girls asks for bottles of water. Each bottle costs at least 20-50. For some of us, we drink Chivas Regal with green tea shit. It is always so sweet so I get the DJ to mix it with water. Then the costs go up. My DJ will get a bucket of ice. The ice melts very fast cause we are in China, temp is usually hot. Then we mix the ice water with drinks. You might say that the water might not be good for you. Guess what, you are using the ice for your drinks. So what is the difference. Girls can drink the ice water too. Its fucking free.
3. Booze - If you know a DJ really well, sometimes we bring a bottle of Chivas ourselves. It is not only real but also a lot cheaper. Buy it before getting into the country at duty-free. Keep it hidden and on hand just in case. After drinking a lot, and over the minimum charge, ask the DJ. I pay her 50 extra if she does it for me. Its a lot cheaper bringing it in than buying it in a KTV. In addition, the DJ has a lot of "left over drinks" cards from previous clients that are almost expiring. Better off letting us drink then the cards expiring.
4. Food - A lot of WGs will try to get you to buy them snacks. Guess what, I get the WG to ask the DJ. I am too nice to refuse so I pass it to the DJ. She will just say "NO". If we want some snacks, the DJ can get some for us free.
5. Toys, cigarettes and cigars - There is always a girl coming into the room trying to sell her wares like big stuffed animals, cigarettes and cigars. Oh ya, lollipops. A lot of WGs like candies. The DJ will kick her out when she sees them. Imagine your girl asking you for a stuffed teddybear that she likes very much for 100RMB. Ya right. WTF. You can get a girl to sit with you for only 200 so that toy is very expensive for 100. So your girl flashes her long fake eyelashes at you and you melt. Dont want to tell her "No", then get the DJ to kick all these salesgirls out before they even come in. No problems then. Heh Heh I can see a lot of bros out there smiling at yourself. I have not met a guy who hasnt fallen into this trap. Me included!!! Thats what I do... Pay and learn!!!
So if you keep the costs down in a KTV, then you might not feel cheated. Safety wise, KTVs are usually ok. But the same as ever, dont go to a KTV that is not linked to a hotel. Those are shady. Go to one that is in a hotel. They are much too established overcharge you. Those private ones on the roadside, out of nowhere, are dangerous. They have no problems in charging you 1000 for 1 beer and see how you react.
Another thing is make sure you sign for every order of booze. There is usually a buddy who is the most sober in the party. Let him sign all the order chits. When the bill comes, then he can refer back to all the signed chits to make sure that all is in order.
All said and done, safety should always be the highest priorty in mind at all times. Be safe. Money can be earned replaced but not health and life, So be safe and you will always have fun!!!
By the Way... Dont transfer any bodily fluids without protection is important as well. LOL
P.S. I just wrote an areticle called "Shanghai Girl" in the Shanghai, China section. Happy Reading !!!