I've actually been dreading this day
Today I had to take a Shenzhen cab by myself (well, with Myles) and go to Wal-Mart. I have not been looking forward to this event.
After scouring all two possible locations in Shekou that might possibly carry diapers big enough for my 35+-pound son (I decided to put off toilet training until after this trip), I realized I was going to have to get in a cab and get to Wal-Mart near Sui Wan Tou.
Now it wasn't that I needed to take a cab nor that I had to go to Wal-Mart in general that I was worried about. I can point to a meter as well as anyone and yell at a cab driver and make it clear I know he is ripping me off in any language. And the Wal-Mart itself, while larger than any one I have been in before, is generally navigable. What I was afraid of is the way you have to ask to go to Wal-Mart.
You have to ask to go to War-Mah.
I know, doesn't that just bristle at you? I have just enough white guilt in me that pronoucing it that way is beyond my comprehension. What if it sounds to them like I am making fun when all I am trying to do is communicate? Randy has told me already, based on his own experiences, that Wal-Mart is unknown. War-Mah, however, is someplace everyone knows.
So of course, when I got into the cab, I immediately told the driver I needed to go to Wal-Mart, with a distinct "L." What I get in return is a blank look. I try again. Same result. So I sigh, and say bravely, "War-Mah, qing."
He starts the meter, and then we are off.
After scouring all two possible locations in Shekou that might possibly carry diapers big enough for my 35+-pound son (I decided to put off toilet training until after this trip), I realized I was going to have to get in a cab and get to Wal-Mart near Sui Wan Tou.
Now it wasn't that I needed to take a cab nor that I had to go to Wal-Mart in general that I was worried about. I can point to a meter as well as anyone and yell at a cab driver and make it clear I know he is ripping me off in any language. And the Wal-Mart itself, while larger than any one I have been in before, is generally navigable. What I was afraid of is the way you have to ask to go to Wal-Mart.
You have to ask to go to War-Mah.
I know, doesn't that just bristle at you? I have just enough white guilt in me that pronoucing it that way is beyond my comprehension. What if it sounds to them like I am making fun when all I am trying to do is communicate? Randy has told me already, based on his own experiences, that Wal-Mart is unknown. War-Mah, however, is someplace everyone knows.
So of course, when I got into the cab, I immediately told the driver I needed to go to Wal-Mart, with a distinct "L." What I get in return is a blank look. I try again. Same result. So I sigh, and say bravely, "War-Mah, qing."
He starts the meter, and then we are off.
Comments
Try "ba" at the end instead, to make the instruction a suggestion. Or just don't add anything.