Quote Originally Posted by Monty View Post
, Communication is difficult, terrible, comical at times.
They keep saying yes, but have not the slightest idea of what you are talking about.
We had a conversation with a waitress the other night for 5 minutes about french fries. We ordered 3 orders of french fries. No problem. She came back and said tomatoe.... Thats a small sample of what goes on constantly. Working there is nuts because of this.
Monty... Finchaser, helpful and benevolent old grouchy basstard that he is, sent me this translation guide to give to you.....
Ya know, he is so helpful at times that if the world had more helpful people like him, I imagine there would be no more wars and mis-understandings among us....
Thanks to Fin for his helpfulness.....and you all who have been the recipient of SYBSTD e-mails know what I mean....




LEARN CHINESE IN 5 MINUTES
(YOU MUST READ THEM ALOUD)
English Chinese

That’s not right Sum Ting Wong
Are you harboring a fugitive Hu Yu Hai Ding
See me ASAP Kum Hia Nao
Stupid Man Dum Fuk
Small Horse Tai Ni Po Ni
Did you go to the beach Wai Yu So Tan
I bumped into a coffee table Ai Bang Mai Fu Kin Ni
I think you need a face lift Chin Tu Fat
It’s very dark in here Wai So Dim
This is a tow away zone No Pah King
Our meeting is scheduled for next week Wai Yu Kum Nao
Staying out of sight Lei Ying Lo
He’s cleaning his automobile Wa Shing Ka
Your body odor is offensive Yu Stin Ki Pu
Great Fa Kin Su Pa





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The most important thing to avoid, IMO, is having them call you a "GWEI-LO", which as I understood it means "white devil"....
I worked in a Chinese restaurant for 3 years doing food prep and washing dishes when I was in high school...so I picked up some Chinese along the way (enough to order a meal in the kitchen...)...for the most part I found them to be an interesting and hard-working culture....they are very cagey until they get to know ya....but once relationships/friendships develop, they can last a lifetime.......

Enjoy your time there and best wishes for a safe flight home....
PS. what are your cats doing at home without you?