I have no idea what they do,No idea, 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...or tomorrow (over and over), what she was saying was we could have two today and more tomorrow (figured that out after 5 minutes), it was crazy, but fine, no problem.....we get the two orders, split it up, then another order of fries shows up with special fries.....then our hamburgers (with the egg) show up with normal fries. Thats a small sample of what goes on constantly. Working there is nuts because of this.
White Water Monty 2.00 (WWM)
Future Long Islander (ASAP)
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
**
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?
Well I miss the cats LOL...big time.
Thanks Finhaser for the words....of Chinese Wisdom.......
I have been doing this stuff, travel, start-ups for 30 years. Been to Japan, China before, South Korea, Taiwan and all over the US. This has been the craziest trip I have been on. The work has been tough, long hours, lots and lots and lots of problems. But I have never laughed as much as I have in the last few weeks with so many funny things with the communication and what has happened. The guy that is from the US that is here that I am working with is a good friend for some 20 years and as difficult as it has been we have been laughing, cracking jokes about it all and been making the best of it. Crazy trip, each day has been an adventure. and lots of laughs.
White Water Monty 2.00 (WWM)
Future Long Islander (ASAP)
funny stuff, gets a little sh**ty in the end tho!