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farang
Reacher
Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 256
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
May 26, 2005 - 11:39 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Place to take customer |
Hiya all... I've got a big customer coming in town tomorrow. He wants to go out tomorrow night after dinner but I'm at a bit of a loss where to take the guy.
He's a drinker and likely will want to go and chat up locals of the female variety. Budget would be US$500 per person or less. That may sound like a lot but far far more has been blown in Roppongi in the past....
A Chinese friend suggested karaoke but I don't think he's into singing and I'd have no idea where to take him. Mao ming road seems too low-end from what I've seen so far.
Any ideas or (better yet) similar customer experiences?
Thanks everyone! |
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Impermanence
Talker
Joined: Nov 21, 2003
Posts: 88
Status: Offline
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May 27, 2005 - 01:02 AM |
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| Post subject: Re: Place to take customer |
| farang wrote: |
A Chinese friend suggested karaoke but I don't think he's into singing and I'd have no idea where to take him. Mao ming road seems too low-end from what I've seen so far.
Any ideas or (better yet) similar customer experiences?
Thanks everyone! |
KTV should be fine, you don't sing in the KTVs, the girls sing for you!!! If your lucky they'll "sing" without the mic  |
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Caesara
Post Roaster
Joined: July 31, 2004
Posts: 4572
Location: The Middle Kingdom (Shanghai)
Status: Offline
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May 27, 2005 - 08:44 AM |
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Is this a Western customer or a Chinese customer?
I ask 'cause there are definitely certain differences in preference that I've noticed among our visiting VIPs. A Chinese VIP might be interested in live music at a Xintiandi club, a drink at Paulaner or KTV (Cashbox?).
Western clients would usually prefer a visit to an upscale bar after dinner -- maybe Bar Rouge, La Fabrique, Face Bar, Glamour Room, Sasha's (Zapata's patio is now open, allowing for the chatting-up of females that you mentioned) Upstairs at Park 97...? |
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Brattie
Talker
Joined: Mar 17, 2005
Posts: 78
Status: Offline
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May 27, 2005 - 08:45 AM |
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I'd suggest headin to Tongren Lu, a "classier" version of Maoming with all the favourites. Manhattan and the new Virgin Bar will keep your friend "entertained"... |
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dsouth
Newbie
Joined: May 03, 2005
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
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May 27, 2005 - 10:20 AM |
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If he's from the west u def. have to take him to "dirty" ktv!!! i was never interested in it myself....I was in asia for 7 months and never thought about going. After going i realized it's the experience. My experience was pretty clean. My chic was way Kool. You just have to take it as it is....entertainment......It's also a comforting setting 4 a customer......plus, u cant do this in da states!!!
i went to paradise....forgot the add. though....
otherwise bar rouge is good for foreigners and the view on the patio is juss breathtaking......... |
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bleucheese
Veejay
Joined: Aug 01, 2003
Posts: 1994
Location: this side of the tracks
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May 27, 2005 - 11:36 AM |
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KTV.
Theres a few upscale ones in the malls on Huai Hai. Also a top notch joint (from what Ive heard) across the street from Senses. At $500 pp (or less), this place sounds like the right joint for you and your guest.
If hes a typical foreign businessman, he'll dig it. And with all the booze and girls around, youre job is a piece of cake. Far easier than trying to keep up bs conversation at a bar.
And dont worry, he wont be singing.
Actually after a few hours of boozing and groping, he might be in the mood to belt on out.
If hes never been, hes guaranteed to have fun. |
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Magnolia
Board Biatch
Joined: June 01, 2004
Posts: 31098
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May 27, 2005 - 05:21 PM |
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I would never bring a foreign business client to KTV, unless the specifically request to do so. Party City and Cashbox are two respectable ones with good decor. The one across from Sense's (Counts Club I believe) may require a membership. You may want to call and check because it would look bad if you arrive with your customer and are unable to enter. And with the other two, you may be well served to book a room in advance.
Depending on his interests, age, possible jet-lag, etc, I would probably stick to someplace more upscale, but still fun and lively after dinner. As the drinks progress, feel out the mood from there.
Maoming Lu is a big no-no, as far as I'm concerned. It is a touch seedy, to say it lightly. Unless the guy is into seedy bars and the threat of hookers hopping in the car uninvited, I would shy away from this area. (I am not a Maoming Lu hater at all... used to go there all the time, before last year, I just don't think it is a place to bring a customer who is not out for a Maoming night).
The bar strip on Tong Ren lu... maybe, but that's a big maybe. I would probably never bring a customer there unless they were asking for places like that.
Where are you taking him to dinner? How many people? Will there be ladies present?
If he is looking for some action, you may be better served in hiring some women for the evening in advance... let them come out with you and let him take his pick. It has been known to happen. |
_________________
BOYCOTT BENSON SALON |
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bleucheese
Veejay
Joined: Aug 01, 2003
Posts: 1994
Location: this side of the tracks
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May 27, 2005 - 05:50 PM |
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Actually its only the Chinese and a few Japanese clients that have ever specifically requested KTV.
Most Western clients are NOT going to come out and state thats what they want (especially if theyre married) but damn, once I get them there, they have a blast. NEVER had a foreign customer (single or a group of males, all ages, married or not) complain about being taken there nor a customer who didnt have a memorable night of fun. I dont come out and say were going to KTV but as soon as I have the inkling that theyre in the mood to drink and 'hang out with local women' I tell them I know of a great place...
Bars can get boring or loud, or packed with women not to your customers liking or worse, turn out to be an all male night. Plus its usually a pain in the ass for me to entertain a customer at a bar and keep that conversation fresh and ongoing.
The nice thing about KTV is that 9 times out of 10, you really do take care of a lot of business while your customer is having a blast. Youre in an enclosed room with the volume level to your liking and drinks are flowing while the girls are there to make sure your customer is smiling and having a great time- they play drinking games etc. My boss likes to say more deals have been closed in a KTV room than in a boardroom and i wholeheartedly agree.
Maybe start at a bar, and then... |
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Brattie
Talker
Joined: Mar 17, 2005
Posts: 78
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
May 27, 2005 - 06:47 PM |
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| Post subject: Re: Place to take customer |
| farang wrote: |
He's a drinker and likely will want to go and chat up locals of the female variety. Budget would be US$500 per person or less. That may sound like a lot but far far more has been blown in Roppongi in the past....
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Anybody been to Roppongi? If he enjoyed this "scene" in Japan I still think Tongren Lu (starting at Malone's or Big Bamboo then working your way down) is a good bet, especially if he wants to "chat up" the ladies. At least a good place to start anyways... Do agree that karaoke can be fun, but best with a group of people (might be boring with just the 2 of you and some pretty hostesses)... |
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farang
Reacher
Joined: Nov 02, 2004
Posts: 256
Status: Offline
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May 28, 2005 - 03:53 PM |
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I forgot to mention that he's Western- quite a laid-back character and completely wipes me out whenever he's in town in terms of expenses and the state of my liver!
We wound up starting at Face Bar then eating at the Indian restaurant there. Stopped for one drink in a bar at the end of Mao Ming Lu where he learned to play the dice game, then headed to a few places on Heng Shan road, finally ending up at Park 97. All in all a decent evening, though not as wild as previous experiences.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone! Bleucheese, I know what you mean about having to keep the conversation up! I consider myself very bad at small talk to begin with, so sometimes a night of entertaining can seem to drag one forever. Which KTV would you suggest for the next time around? |
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