Adventures in Shopping

I have friends in the states ask me often what life is like in China.  I'm never quite sure what to say.  There's too much to tell you concisely and I've finally gotten to the point where it isn't quite so shocking any more.  However, occasionally something will happen and I will think "this would never happen in America."  Today was one of those days.

After school today I headed to our corner store to get some stuff for dinner.  As background, the corner store is run by two sets of people.  One set runs the store (owner) and the other set sells fruits and veggies (fruit/veggie guy).  So, below is the amazing conversation that I had at the store...somewhat condensed. Because the conversation was actually mostly in Chinese, I've put any words that were actually said in English in bold.  The rest is translated from Chinese. :)

Me: Do you have chicken today?
Owner: Yes we do.  It's over there.

(I grabbed the chicken and headed to pay for it before getting veggies.)

Owner: You look very pretty today.  Did you get your hair cut.  
Me: Yes I did.  Thanks.
Fruit/Veggie Guy: You always buy chicken.  What are you going to make?

(At this point I stared blankly at him.  I had no idea how to say what I was making in Chinese.)

Owner: She doesn't understand you.
Me: No, I understand.  I just don't know how to say it in Chinese.  In English it is Italian Chicken.

(Now the fruit/veggie guy gave me a blank stare.)

Owner: Haha!  Now he doesn't understand!  Are you a teacher?
Me: Yes, I'm a teacher.
Fruit/Veggie Guy: Oh! Teacher!  This is potato! (Points at potatoes.) And this is tomato. (Points at tomatoes.)
Me: Yes, very good.
Fruit/Veggie Guy: Teacher! What is this?

At this point he started pointing to various fruits and veggies and asking me how to say each one in English while his wife looked on laughing.  When he realized it wasn't easy to say these names, he asked me to write them down.  It was fun to hear him practice.  Words like ginger came out "gin ja" and mushroom was "moo soom."  My favorite was when he pointed to the jalapeno.

Fruit/Veggie Guy: Teacher!  What is this?
Me: Oh that's not easy.  It's jalapeno.  

I could see his mouth and brain trying to work together to get that one out.  He couldn't do it and eventually shook his head and pointed to the next thing.  I love living in China. :)