I am a white Caucasian woman, and I am fluent at Chinese and English. Just by looking at me you will never guess that I speak Chinese. So it’s very amusing to watch people, when they pass by my cash register speaking Chinese, and I understand every their word. My colleagues find this very funny and interesting.
Recently, a Chinese couple approached my cash register. I asked them (in English) questions about their packages, offered promotional products, standard questions.
Anyway, I started sorting out their purchases, when the wife said: “Tell this bun to hurry up!” in Chinese. I didn’t say anything. The wife said: “Tell this stupid girl to move faster!”. I smiled at her, and acted as if I didn’t understand her.
She went on commenting on my hairstyle, saying I looked like a boy (I do have really short hair), and how her grandfather was faster than me. Everything in Chinese.
Then she said: “Make sure she doesn’t forget the water” in Chinese. And I answered in English: “I won’t forget the water”…
I enjoyed the scared look on her face, when she realized I understood everything she had said before. She just froze in her place with her mouth wide open. Then her husband said in Chinese: “This is why you shouldn’t insult employees, when they are standing right in front of you”. I answered in English: “Your husband is absolutely right!”
They payed, the husband apologized and left. After they left, my manager, colleague and I burst out laughing! The cashier’s job might be dull, but incidents like this one just make my day. Sense of humor is our shield. Joy in our hearts and smile on our faces – these are the signs that a person fully understands life!
