Zane and Heath: Unfiltered

Episode 326: "Matt Got Scammed in China"

Release Date: April 6, 2026
Hosts: Zane, Heath, Matt, Jared
Theme: Matt returns from a trip to China and shares wild travel stories, deep dives into culture shock, scams, and daily life abroad. The episode also touches on parenthood, cosmetic surgery, and typical friendly banter.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Matt’s recent trip to China, exploring the highs and lows of travel in a modern megacity—Shanghai—as well as traditional and rural experiences, cultural quirks, and a few minor mishaps, including getting scammed. The hosts also catch up on their personal lives, from new baby milestones to cosmetic surgery updates, all wrapped in their laid-back, irreverent tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Childhood "Lock-Ins" and Field Trips (01:54–05:51)

• Lock-ins: Zane and Heath reminisce about overnight school events ("lock-ins") and field trips during their time in magnet environmental science programs.
• Everglades trip stories: Funny anecdotes, including the "frozen underwear" prank and the hot, swampy field trips.
  • Quote: "On the boy side of the house. Some of the guys like took this one kid's underwear ... and then stuck it in the freezer." —Heath, (04:46)

2. Magnet School Life and Environmental Science Focus (05:51–09:36)

• Attending special programs to attend better schools, not for academic passion.
• The rituals and culture of magnet programs (i.e., planting propagules, tilapia tanks, pretentious attempts to impress VIP visitors like Cousteau's son).

3. Matt's China Trip: First Impressions (10:25–12:06)

• Matt describes arriving in Shanghai and being stunned by its futuristic skyline.
  • Quote: "It looked like you hopped in a time machine and you were, like, 50 years ahead." —Jared, (10:44)
  • "Shanghai was like New York City but on steroids ... endless metropolis." —Matt, (11:00)
• Highlights the Pearl Tower and splurging for a hotel with an epic view.

4. Shanghai: Pros and Cons, Daily Life (12:00–15:19)

• Pros: Clean, hyper-efficient, pedestrian-friendly, cashless society (Alipay dominates), cheap and luxurious transportation (Uber/Didi).
• Cons: App inconveniences for Americans, can’t always use Apple Pay; smoking is prevalent and noticeable, especially in bathrooms.
  • Quote: "Sig sig culture is real. People are out in China smoking cigs." —Matt, (15:46)

5. Social Customs: Smoking, Spitting, and Queue Etiquette (15:19–22:23)

• Smoking is prominent; less signage and health warnings.
• Queue "disorder": Line-cutting, especially noticed when taking the gondola to the Great Wall.
• Spitting in public (even indoors) noticed, especially among older generations.
• Cultural comparison: Japan is more orderly, China is more bustling, with survival-of-the-fittest energy.

6. The Art of Bargaining—and Getting Scammed (23:36–26:23)

• AP Plaza: Matt goes to a famous fake goods market, is accosted by persistent vendors. He uses Mandarin to haggle.
• Tricks of the trade: Learning local phrases helps drop the price. Vendors start at $500 for things worth $75–100.
  • Quote: "They would try to sell it to you for, like, $500. But really what you're trying to buy is worth at least 75, $100." —Matt, (24:10)
• If you walk away, sellers chase you down with lower offers.

7. Food Adventures & Cultural Differences (26:23–28:53)

• Favorites: Soup dumplings (xiao long bao), hot pot.
• Authentic Chinese food is quite different from American Chinese food.
• Street market oddities: Scorpions, beetles, snakes on sticks—Matt skips eating them but explains it's mostly for tourists.

8. Unusual Experiences: Ear Cleaning & Fidgets (28:53–42:13)

• Ear cleaning: Matt and Patricia get traditional professional ear cleanings, which is a popular local service.
• Win Juan nuts: Buys walnuts used as centuries-old fidget devices that polish to a shine over years.

9. Urban Transportation (Minivans & Bullet Trains) (31:26–46:44)

• Chinese car culture: Affordable luxury minivans and unique small SUVs that would cost four times more in the US.
  • Quote: "This car costs $16,000. It's crazy out there." —Matt, (32:30)
• Bullet trains: Matt praises the efficiency—Shanghai to Beijing in 4.5 hours, compared to the US's lagging infrastructure.

10. Safety and Surveillance (33:56–35:57)

• China feels incredibly safe due to a vast network of street cameras.
• Personal story: Matt’s friend lost his wallet; police recovered it via surveillance in minutes.
  • Quote: "They found his wallet within, like, 15 minutes, bro." —Matt, (34:32)

11. Birth Rate and Government Policy (36:21–37:41)

• Discuss the end of the one-child policy; now, condoms are taxed to encourage higher birth rates.
  • Quote: "Right now, they're taxing condoms because ... they want people to be having their kids." —Matt, (36:59)

12. Matt's Regret & Travel Wisdom (43:54–46:44)

• Suggests spending fewer days in the same city; recommends visiting smaller cities or rural areas as well as the metropolises for a balanced experience.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Matt on line-cutting: "There were these two ladies behind us... just looking for any moment ... to cut in front of us." (20:11)
• On fake goods market haggling: "I’m being like really silly and goofy with them and like very over dramatic. I’m like, ty guela, ty guela, which is like 'too expensive' just shaking my head like crazy." (24:38)
• On safety: "You never had, like, a bad vibe or someone was going to pickpocket you." (33:56)
• Travel regret: "My biggest regret was not doing another city. I felt like four days in Shanghai and four days in Beijing was maybe too many days." (43:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Childhood Lock-ins / Magnet School Stories: 01:54–09:36
• China First Impressions: 10:25–12:06
• Shanghai Daily Life (Pros/Cons): 12:00–15:19
• Smoking & Social Habits: 15:19–22:23
• Queue Etiquette & Spitting: 20:00–22:23
• Bargaining & Getting Scammed: 23:36–26:23
• Food Adventures (Dumplings, Hot Pot): 26:23–28:53
• Ear Cleaning / Traditional Fidgets: 28:53–42:13
• Car Culture, Bullet Trains: 31:26–46:44
• Safety/Surveillance: 33:56–35:57
• Population Policies: 36:21–37:41
• Travel Lessons: 43:54–46:44

Additional Highlights

Parenting Updates (46:48–56:23)

• Baby Tony is growing a personality, sleeping through the night for the first time.
• DIY baby toys: Frozen peas in a bag for cheap sensory entertainment (54:17–55:45).

Cosmetic Surgery Update (67:35–88:30)

• Zane's mom undergoes nose job, facelift, neck lift—detailed account of the process, pain, and emotional journey.
• Emphasis on post-op reality, regret, and reassurance regarding the healing process.
  • Quote: "She kept on repeating. I was like, she's like, honey, I deliver twins. And I would rather deliver twins multiple times than to be doing—but this? That, you know, this is hurting for her." —Zane, (79:21)
• Conversation offers comfort and advice for anyone considering major cosmetic work.

Social Media Mishaps (58:05–61:11)

• Sending accidental emoji reactions on Instagram leads to hilarious misunderstandings.
  • "I sent Lauren DIY, like, hard eyes...I was just like, please don't think ... like I was hitting on her." —Matt, (59:14)

Tone & Style

• Highly conversational, irreverent, and funny—with plenty of crosstalk and self-deprecation.
• Joyful about travel but pragmatic and honest about downsides.
• Supportive, curious, and warm about each other's personal updates.
• Willingness to be silly and vulnerable, making the show relatable.

Final Thoughts

Matt’s China adventure is packed with both awe and awkwardness—a blend of impressive efficiency and hilarious moments of being the obvious bewildered tourist. From the chaotic bargaining scenes in bustling markets to thoughtful insights on cultural difference, the episode is a vivid, entertaining travelogue. The personal updates—from baby milestones to Zane's mom’s cosmetic surgery—bring heart, humor, and the familiar “Unfiltered” spirit.

"You should go. You should go." —Matt (46:51)

Listeners get:

• Honest, engaging travel insights about China (hits and misses)
• Laugh-out-loud moments about scams, pranks, and bargaining
• Personal reflections on parenting and cosmetic surgery recovery
• A warm, funny group dynamic—perfect for fans of authentic, unfiltered conversation