Misinterpretations

Observation: A Chinese smile, nod and “Aryh, yes…” really means “I don’t have a clue what you just said”.

I learned the hard way today the young lady in charge of assisting me with everyday dealings comprehends very little English and the driver comprehends even less which equaled to a very frustrating and pointless outing. Instead of being shown the fresh fruits and vegetable market I was taken to the fake market. Instead of assisting me at the supermarket, I was let out at a random intersection and had to walk several large city blocks to the supermarket alone…yeah, the misinterpretations were THAT bad. I was too livid to cry, instead I stomped and cursed my way to purchase the incredibly expensive provisions. I was cursing the situation not the assistant.

The situation is this; many people here speak English, but few English speaking Chinese comprehend English speaking people – why would/should they? This assistant took me to a market she thought a rich laowai would want to go. And the misinterpretations are these: We are far from rich and given the extremely high prices for imported groceries (Kellogg’s breakfast cereal $10US a box, small block of cheese $8, Gold Medal flour $8 a bag, etc) our effective income has just taken a nose dive (and thus my motivation for seeking out a locals market). And I’ll tell you now…of the top 10 things I want to do in Shanghai, going to the fake market doesn’t even make the list!

The assistant would probably be shocked to know because our extended-stay hotel has seen fit to rob us via laundry charges I am washing our undies which would otherwise cost $3 each. We had seven pieces of clothing laundered – not starched, not dry cleaned, not ironed even and the bill totaled $37.50 US (I dare say our designer Target pieces even cost that much)! I don’t know how to make the assistant understand I’m trying to find a place to buy a cheap tomato not a flippin’ Dolce Gabbana ripoff! When I was shown the curb today I asked, “Are you not going to help me at the Carrefour?” She replied, “aryh, yes – you walk to Carrefour I go back to work, yes?” I replied with a resolute “yes” knowing any further attempts to communicate were futile. Also, I realized in that instant she doesn’t consider babysitting me her work. I abhor having to be dependent on anyone to see me through the simplest of every day matters, but I must find someone more effective than she to help me a little while longer.

I’m going apartment hunting today with James, a Chinese Realtor, after our mandatory Chinese physicals (part of being a foreign resident) – wish me ruck…