"peng ci" ("touch porcelain") and under the bus he go.

[danb]

“peng ci” (“touch porcelain”) A term that I haven't heard before. I heard about the circumstances before. This week I saw a couple of videos about something that happened in Nanning. Here is links to them:

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/man-nanning-china-hurls-front-parked-bus-article-1.2774015

 

https://youtu.be/0AGygvd6LTI

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3768499/Bizarre-moment-man-wildly-throws-parked-bus-Nanning-China-pretends-RUN-desperate-bid-claim-compo-driver.html

 

Videos are about the same incident but I think they were shot from two different cameras.

 

When I saw the first video I was dumbstruck for a moment or two.. I was trying to figure out what the guy was trying to do in the very first part of the video. Bizarre!!! I thought I was looking a video loop. Bizarre the way the guys kept throwing himself under the bus. Is it just a simple case of attempted extortion or does the guy need some serious medical help (mental)? Danb

 

[Randy W]

Trying to put a dent in the bus to bolster his case is my guess . . .

[Allon]

Yes, I have seen similar films. Some people are just desperate.

[Randy W]

This is NOT the way to do it (from the Sixth Tone)

 

http://image3.sixthtone.com/styles/gallery_full/s3/collage-china%E2%80%99s-week-photos-august-29-september-4-002_0.jpg?itok=2mJqz2yu

[danb]

I googled the word Peng Ci. Here is one explanation that I found."

"Pengci (碰瓷), Beijing dialect, refers to some malicious and illegal behaviors intended for blackmail purpose. For example, one may deliberately create a motor vehicle accident and claims for compensation.

The phrase Pengci (碰瓷) from paper means “touch porcelain”, it comes from the antique industry jargon. Some bad business men will deliberately place some porcelain products toward the middle of the passage way and thus when customers pass they may break them easily. The sellers will then claim for compensation."

So I guess it could be described as accident fraud or scam. One aspect that I found interesting is when Good Samaritans are held accountable when they go to help a fallen person in need. Seems like those good Samaritans need to worry about they will be held liable for fallen person's injuries. I read that Alibaba sells insurance to help Good Samaritans in China:

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-34612516

"In some cases, those trying to help others have then been blamed for causing the injuries - and been sued.

Now Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba thinks it can help.

It has introduced a "Good Samaritan" insurance plan so that one can help without the fear of being scammed.

The three yuan ($0.50; £0.3) policy covers up to 20,000 yuan in litigation fees for a year, should someone get into trouble. Within five days of being available, more than 60,000 policies were sold."

I wonder if the insurance is worth having? Or would a six yuan be a better option? Danb