Monday, February 16, 2004
Practical Chinese in 3 steps
Photo: Bargaining in Putonghua (Chinese)
Location: Xiangyang Market at Shanxi Road, Shanghai
The shopping bug has yet to bite me.
In the first weekend, we went to check out the famous Yu Yuan market. They practically sell every Chinese souvenier under the sun. What I ended up with was a Shanghai Starbucks mug to add to my collection.
This weekend, we decided to assimilate more with the local Chinese. I think we can sort-of blend into the crowd physically. All is well until we open our mouth!
Step 1: Take the Metro
It’s pretty simple, as long as you muster a little Chinese at the ticket counter. It’s “Renmin Gongyuan” (People’s Park) and onwards to “Shanxi Lu” (Shanxi Road) to ”Xiangyang” fake fashion goods capital of the world.
“San ge piao qu Remin Gongyuan, duoshao qian?” (3 tickets to People's Park, how much money?)
Getting around the station and trains was pretty easy as there were English signboards. We did pretty well at the station except when I tried to pay the ticket counter 5 RMB cents instead of a RMB5.00. Don’t blame me…they have 5 cent paper notes!
So, we squeeze along with a few hundred other regular folks into the trains. Despite being a modern city, people still jump queues when buying tickets and getting on the train. Such a turn-off to me!
Step 2: Speak Putonghua
We had more practical Chinese usage while bargaining at the market. It was great fun. After a while, you get a feel on how things work and the pattern of conversation. Like this….
You ask: “Zhege, doushao qian?” (This one, how much?)
She tells you: “Si bai bashi” (RMB480)
You say: “Wah, tai gui le!” (Wow, too expensive already!)
She say: “Hen pianyi le. Blah, blah, blah....” (Very cheap already)
You say: “Gei wor pianyi le” (Give me cheaper)
She asks: “Ne shuo dou shao?” (You say how much?)
You then state you price. For me, I offer what I think it should be worth.
It’s likely that she will fuss about saying that’s impossibly cheap.
You need to be firm. If she doesn’t accept, then you start to walk away.
Chances are if the price you give is reasonable, she will call you back to the stall.
Maybe, a little more negotiation takes place. Perhaps, the price may goes up by RMB5.
Both parties are happy.
A deal is made.
In this case, my friend managed to reduce the price of her mum’s silk top from RMB480 to RMB150!
Perhaps, we made a good deal...perhaps, not.
But, at least we walked away thinking we got a good bargain.
And, when all verbal communication fails, negotiations can still go on with a calculator and sign language.
Step 3: Eat Chinese
We failed miserably here.
Last week, we seeked refuge in Starbucks at Yu Yuan Market for pee stop and a quick bite. Unfortunately, it turns out that place did not have toilets.
This week, we planned to have some local Shanghainese food. But, we could not find the recommended restaurant. Perhaps, it had closed down. So, we ended up at a Japanese restaurant.
Better luck next week.
P.S. A glimpse of me in the mirror, in the photo.
Photo: Bargaining in Putonghua (Chinese)
Location: Xiangyang Market at Shanxi Road, Shanghai
The shopping bug has yet to bite me.
In the first weekend, we went to check out the famous Yu Yuan market. They practically sell every Chinese souvenier under the sun. What I ended up with was a Shanghai Starbucks mug to add to my collection.
This weekend, we decided to assimilate more with the local Chinese. I think we can sort-of blend into the crowd physically. All is well until we open our mouth!
Step 1: Take the Metro
It’s pretty simple, as long as you muster a little Chinese at the ticket counter. It’s “Renmin Gongyuan” (People’s Park) and onwards to “Shanxi Lu” (Shanxi Road) to ”Xiangyang” fake fashion goods capital of the world.
“San ge piao qu Remin Gongyuan, duoshao qian?” (3 tickets to People's Park, how much money?)
Getting around the station and trains was pretty easy as there were English signboards. We did pretty well at the station except when I tried to pay the ticket counter 5 RMB cents instead of a RMB5.00. Don’t blame me…they have 5 cent paper notes!
So, we squeeze along with a few hundred other regular folks into the trains. Despite being a modern city, people still jump queues when buying tickets and getting on the train. Such a turn-off to me!
Step 2: Speak Putonghua
We had more practical Chinese usage while bargaining at the market. It was great fun. After a while, you get a feel on how things work and the pattern of conversation. Like this….
You ask: “Zhege, doushao qian?” (This one, how much?)
She tells you: “Si bai bashi” (RMB480)
You say: “Wah, tai gui le!” (Wow, too expensive already!)
She say: “Hen pianyi le. Blah, blah, blah....” (Very cheap already)
You say: “Gei wor pianyi le” (Give me cheaper)
She asks: “Ne shuo dou shao?” (You say how much?)
You then state you price. For me, I offer what I think it should be worth.
It’s likely that she will fuss about saying that’s impossibly cheap.
You need to be firm. If she doesn’t accept, then you start to walk away.
Chances are if the price you give is reasonable, she will call you back to the stall.
Maybe, a little more negotiation takes place. Perhaps, the price may goes up by RMB5.
Both parties are happy.
A deal is made.
In this case, my friend managed to reduce the price of her mum’s silk top from RMB480 to RMB150!
Perhaps, we made a good deal...perhaps, not.
But, at least we walked away thinking we got a good bargain.
And, when all verbal communication fails, negotiations can still go on with a calculator and sign language.
Step 3: Eat Chinese
We failed miserably here.
Last week, we seeked refuge in Starbucks at Yu Yuan Market for pee stop and a quick bite. Unfortunately, it turns out that place did not have toilets.
This week, we planned to have some local Shanghainese food. But, we could not find the recommended restaurant. Perhaps, it had closed down. So, we ended up at a Japanese restaurant.
Better luck next week.
P.S. A glimpse of me in the mirror, in the photo.
