putting my education to good use
22/11/2007
The only reason why I chose to take Chinese as a First Language in Secondary school was so I would end my suffering by age 16, not for the love of the language. My first Chinese teacher – Miss Lu – expertly and efficiently nipped any interest I had or would ever have for the language swiftly in the bud. There are few things worse than a frustrated person with no interest in educating seven-year-olds actually being paid (probably not a lot) to do just that.
Last weekend I put my four years of Higher Chinese education to good use. An Asian (maybe Taiwanese?) lady walked in and asked for fifteen gaiwans (盖碗). She said she wanted it for a wedding. We get her stock, and I knew it was going to start, so I let Mr K handle it. And sure enough, she started asking for a discount. I don’t blame her. She wanted fifteen.
Then, she side-said something (you know, when they’re really directing a rhetorical remark to you through saying something in passing to someone else，in this case, her daughter) that set me right off.
“前面那间好像比较便宜。”
Translation: It seemed to be cheaper at the store in front
Oh no she didn’t just say that to me. Out snarls my best Chinese ever.
“那你可以去前面那间。。。”
Translation: Then you can go to the store in front…
In dives Mr K for the save -
“你可以去看看，他们的品质是不一样的。”
Translation: You can go and take a look, their quality is not the same.
Nice save.
The lady laughed it off, but later on made a comment like the tea was cheaper in Taiwan. Oh, since she was obviously just asking for it, I retorted that airfares back to Taiwan were cheap too, so yeah.
She still walked out with 15 gaiwans.
So I guess my point is, I’m grateful for the other 8 Chinese teachers and tutors I’ve had, for the unenviable task of teaching me the rudiments of the adopted mother tongue of my people. Thank you for trying to undo the mis-programming.
In particular, I’d like to thank my private Chinese tutor，关丽花老师。Thank you for educating me enough to defend and express myself. For that, I am in your debt.
Happy Thanksgiving，from the Retail Grinch.
