But let me just clarify a few things that may make you read on. 1) I'm in a non English speaking country, 2) I only speak English, and 3) If the Chinese people don't speak English, they will not talk to you for the fear of "losing face".
These three factors make for an interesting shopping (well, everyday) experience.
First, let me say that I am learning the language. I am 6 hours into my Mandarin classes and loving every minute of it. Cici (my teacher) says I am doing "hen hao" (very good) and I am picking it up very easily. I sort of knew I would because I learned to speak Thai very easily too, and both languages are very similar, conversationally. I can introduce myself, say where I come from, ask for phone numbers (very handy :)), and also tell you what day Christmas is on (and many other dates too!)
On Saturday morning I had a 2 hour class with Cici, and we learned money, how to ask the price of something, and then how to bargain etc. So, skipping out of the lesson (NB: I didn't actually skip, but felt confident after my 2 hour class) I decided to go shopping with my newly acquired knowledge for a wireless router (for those non tech people, it would allow me to connect wirelessly to the internet in my apartment).
The night before coming home from drinks with the Internations mob, I saw an electronics store and decided to make my way back there. Subway system I know, found out the nearest station, and the rest would be easy. I would dazzle the sales staff with my excellent command of their langauage, and walk out with a brand new modem.
I walk in the main door of Dazhong Electronics in the CBD, and find the modems straight away. I pick up the (empty) box and try to make out the pictures on the back (because everything was in Mandarin). Looks good, price OK (RMB 138), now to find someone to help me. This is where I refer back to point 3 above.
Chinese culture is all about "face". The Chinese will not do something if they feel they are not good at it, because they will "lose face", or respect. I learned this at our team bonding weekend in Qingdao. I wondered why no one would talk to me. It's because they don't know English, and don't want to lose face.
So, I wandered through the aisles of the computer section trying to attract someones attention, and found no one. Every time I would approach someone, they would turn away, or walk off. Of course, it may have been a number of reasons (all going to lunch together?), but I assumed it was because they didn't want to talk to the foreigner, because they could "lose face".
OK, so what now. I waited a few more minutes, and caught the eye of a young sales guy. Here he comes, it's time to dazzle him with my mandarin. Oh no. A problem. I don't know how to say 'I want to buy this".
Quickly searching my memory I realise I hadn't been taught that yet, so in a slight panic, I pointed at the modem, then to me, and said in Mandarin "I like".
He smiled, and he got the message. Then he started rattling off some Mandarin. What I could understand was that this model was no longer in stock, but they have a more recent model, and it would cost me RMB 185 (numbers and prices I know - woohoo! I can understand something). I replied with "Hao De" (Good), and the transaction was over. He then escorted me to the cashier, I paid, he got the goods, I left!
Mmm, a bit of an anti-climax and not so much dazzling as I thought, but I did get to say a couple of words in Mandarin. And now the proud owner of a fully functional wireless router. (see picture of happy customer below)
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