Sunday, August 31, 2008

A Terrible Mistake

Ferret is assigned the task of calling various Chinese electronics stores. He is not really up to this task. However, he bravely attempts to call and ask the price of a camera (相机, xiàng jī ).

Female Store Clerk
喂。
(Hello.)

Ferret
你好。我找小妓 (xiǎo jī)
(Hey. I'm looking for prostitute.)

Female Store Clerk
什么?!
(What?!)

Ferret
一个小妓。这是国美商店吗?
(A prostitute. Is this Gome (a local electronics store)?)

Female Store Clerk
对呀。你找什么东西啊?
(This is. What are you looking for?)

Ferret
一个小妓。
(A prostitute.)

Female Store Clerk
请稍等。
(Please hold on a second.)

There is a great, immediate, yet inaudible commotion on the phone before Ferret can even speak.

Ferret
好的.
(Okay.)

A minute passes. Ferret is frustrated, finding himself unable to express himself. Someone picks up the phone.

Male Store Clerk
喂。
(Hello.)

Ferret
喂,你好。我教一个相机。
(Hey there. Hi. I'm looking for a camera.)

Male Store Clerk
哦!一个相机!
(Oh! A camera!)

In the background, the Female Store Clerk can be heard:

Female Store Clerk
哦!一个相机!我觉得他找一个小妓!
(Oh! A camera! I thought he was looking for a prostitute!)

Ferret realizes that he has just called an electronics store and asked if there were hookers. All in day's work...