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Q: Where would you draw the line between a local showing off and just using the local?
Not counting 1st tier cities where laowai are a dime a dozen, many locals become excited over the chance share a drink or two. With a couple of dance moves and a friendly smile, I can approach just about any table of Chinese at a bar and they will offer me a drink. More than likely, it turns into either a Q&A with many more drinks or a challenge at a drinking game. If I keep a smile on my face, the conversation charming, and maybe a few simple party tricks; the table will keep buying drinks until half of them are too drunk to get home.
So I just wanted an outside opinion.... Where's the line between accepting their hospitality and using my face to "whore" myself out for free drinks.
*I'm using drinks as the main example but the question carries over to other subjects as well.
i never approach guys here, the free drinks or meal will not be payment enough for the suffering
Bleed it for all it's worth, in the eyes of the locals we're nothing more than dancing monkeys... They want the show, they pay the price. 
Meh, drinking is no fun unless you enjoy the company.
I agree with Njord (again!) - it's beneficial both ways, and both are as shallow as each other: the Chinese person, be it man or woman, want the 'prestige' of having a foreign 'friend', and the chance to show him/her off to their own friends, and for the laowai it can be a cheap way to get drunk or learn Chinese or both!
So just milk it and enjoy it guilt-free, because it's another one of those fantastic China experiences you don't get many other places.
At the very least it's an amusing story to tell your friends back home.
Yeah I milk it for everything it's worth and sleep great at night. I was just curious if others saw me as a horrible person that is ruining the golden reputation of all the hardworking expats.
That's all part of the fun of going to one of those noisy ass bars.
All hail the dancing English monkeys!
Why not get what you can out of it? Its not like anyone is getting tricked or dealt with unfairly. A good time is had by all so go for it!
DaBen:
the monkey doesn't even have to be able to dance. Just pull a dance move that wasn't cool even when you were in middle school or even do a simple magic trick (like pulling your thumb off) and they are puddy in your hands.
