[SEAJ]

Hope that I don't come off as if I "Know-it-all" as I KNOW that most of your are experienced KTV goers and most probably do NOT need my suggestions - and I offer this list basically for those who are NOT that familiar.

I also certainly do not want give the impression that I'm a cheap-skate but one of the things that always galls me when out KTV'ing is how the various managers/mommies etc,( and they've even got "professional drinkers") are always there to jack up the bill/cost to us. I don't mind spending money, but I really hate being made a sucker of by anyone.

Anyway, the Yanda seems to be moderating these days, and it may be a great time to start to set some rules with the DJ/mommie/manager - and I would suggest that you do so PRIOR to actually starting the night - to make sure that you do not get a nasty surprise at the end of the evening.

Anyway, herewith some of the things that you may want to establish before partying:

- What exactly is the price of the particular liquor to be consumed AND mixers.

- Is there going to be 10 or 15% "Service charge" to be added to bill

- What discounts from the total bill WILL be calculated - i.e. Pay in HK$ same amount as RMB, or 15% off on bills paid RMB. (FH used to do this to attract HKG clients)

- Any speciall offers like B.O.G.O. or B2G1 etc and for which particular brand of drinks, or "special Packages" where they will throw in things like a free room night or Short term room, or a package including certain number of beer and snack etc. CP KTV's often offer these "Special packages" when business is slow (mostly via Hong Kong publications/web sites etc) - and I'd imagine that with the recent Yanda, things are perhaps not all that busy yet. But you do need to ACTUALLY ASK as they for sure are NOT going to tell you about these special deals when you are already at the KTV!

- What are the 'freebies' to be given by the DJ, by the mommie/manager - free food, liquor?

- Price of the "mandatory consumables" (i.e. fruit platter, nuts, dried foods etc that's automatically placed in the room at the start of the evening)

- Are the gals REALLY obliged by management to consume certain item/drinks? And if so, what are these and how much do they cost?

- One person MUST sign off on any orders for whatever item (more than one guy have the right to order and you'll end up being over-provisioned)

- NO outsiders, mommies, managers, friends of sitting gals coming into room uninvited and partaking of your liquor - giving us face supposedly (total B.S. - The whole purpose of this is to rack up the bar bill; some KTV's even have "professional drinkers - whose ONLY duty is to go in rooms and drink drink and drink!!)

- No "vendors" of dolls, food, pop-corn, cigarettes etc coming into our room to peddle their wares - with the sitting Gals in cahoot - to pad the bill.

- How much exactly is the "minimum charge" for the particular KTV room you're going to occupy, and if such amount applies ONLY to liquor or also food ordered etc.

- Timely reminders as to the amount of the bill already racked up - i.e. when minimum surpassed, every RMB 300 thereafter etc. (The DJ in most KTV's should be able to pull up the amount already racked up on the KTV system/computer on demand)

- NO half empty glasses/bottles cleared and dumped.

- All empty containers saved for inspection/counting at end of nite.

- And if you're really particular, to outline what are the charges for things like tissues - for YES, definitely tissues are routinely charged - so - make sure you/your gals don't spill drinks - and insist that the DJ also have towels to clean up the table (free??)

- How many DJ's REALLY required for each room and exact price for @DJ - and if there's gonna be "cleaning charges" tacked on or not. (such cleaning charge is USUALLY only requested by a DJ who you're sweet on or who you want to take out with you - that instead of you waiting for her to clean up the room, you will graciously give her the RMB 50 - 100 to give to a cleaning lady to do it)

- And last, if you've unopened bottles left at end of evening - do get a "storage card" for use the next time you come back (within 1 month usually) and if you're leaving CP soon - then leave these cards with one of your friends who's still going to be there!! "Orphaned left-over bottles" are what the DJ's use to "Treat" their regular clients - that's how common an occurrence it is for guys to leave leftover bottles without getting a storage card.

But of course the above only covers the KTV bill - whilst the bigger expense would be the Gal costs; but that is a whole separate discussion ain't it? LOL!!

SEAN