Ventured out to do some shopping this afternoon after finally getting to feeling somewhat en route to normal. I went down the street to one of the typical multifloor shopping "malls" with tons of little cubicles selling stuff. I was looking for more mala bracelets for Calvin, as he said he wanted some with his friends. I knew exactly where to go in Shanghai (and what to pay thanks to S), but this took some hunting. I finally found some but the language difficulties proved...umm...difficult. The guy did run and get someone who spoke English so we were able to figure out what I wanted (smaller beads). And thankfully, the almight calculator is the universal deal maker. He typed out 80. I sighed loudly and punched in 20. He said each. I said for all for. He said no. The guy who spoke English said just a little more. So I punched in 30. Deal. Paid a bit too much but whatever...they guy was nice enough.
So I go to another stall and they have the actual style i wanted to get for Calvin. I ask. She says 40 for the pair. I say 10. She looks annoyed. I start to leave. She motions for me to type in another number. So I type 10 again. That apparently isn't what she wanted, and she started speaking sharply about me to one of the other cubicle workers. Oh well...makin' friends in the PRC..
