Suzhou's Great, Sure. Me Going Back? Hard Pass.
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Hold on, they said 'squirrel fish,' not 'squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.' The 'mandarin' part is missing.
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Never eat at any tourist attraction.
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None of these places are run by locals. Don't eat at tourist spots! That's basic travel advice!
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Most businesses around tourist attractions are run by transient vendors who just rip people off and then move on.
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What? Five dishes for 138 RMB, including Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish? Isn't that obviously a scam?
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How could anyone even consider eating at places near tourist attractions?
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Just by looking at the storefront, you can tell it's one of those generic 'farmhouse-style' restaurants run by non-locals, even if it's in Suzhou.
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When you're traveling, don't eat or buy things near tourist spots, and avoid places that actively try to pull customers in. Does this really need to be said? It's the same all over the country.
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If you go to a cheap dive, expect poor hygiene. Five dishes for 138 RMB including Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish? You can't expect anything good. No local would ever eat at a place like that.
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Never eat at any tourist attraction.
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What's the big deal? Anyone with common sense knows not to eat at tourist spots. Did you even do any research before your trip? If you don't want to come, then don't. You want it cheap, you want amazing value, and when you feel ripped off, you trash-talk all of Suzhou? For all you know, a place like that might even be run by someone from your own hometown!