Whenever I am in a non speaking countries, I bound to have problems giving the right directions. Even when I tried telling all the landmarks, they cab drivers will look at me as if I am from Planet Terror! After all these trials and tribulations, I found a quick solution ..at least for now.
On the first day of work at the location, I will start collecting the local's business cards. Yes, their positions are important, and don't you ever forget that! But little that they knew, my little secret for dying to have their business cards is for the cab drivers :-P
Most of the time, in non speaking countries, the business card has dual lingual, one side english the other side the local language. There you go, save up all the business cards, it will saved you from a lot of frustrations!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Lost in Translation - the Seoul way
I looked at my watch and were late for a meeting. I jumped into a cab outside the hotel, and told the cab driver I wanted to go to Dogok station where my office is. The cab driver just started his engine and zoomed away. Later he kept asking me where I wanted to go. With my limited Korean vocabulary I could not make him understand the location again. (Due to my pronounciation!)
In Seoul when you are lost in translation, there is a way to overcome this. Thanks to the Seoul Metropolitan government, they had introduced Free Translation since the World Cup in 2002. All you need to do is call 120 and speak to the english speaking operator. You can even ask things like where is the best clubs around your area, or nearest cinema. Its like a walking yellow pages! The cab driver will usually hand their mobile phone to you, and you need to dial 02-120. That easy!
I really think it's a brilliant idea and very useful for us who is kiasu and kiasi travelling in Seoul!
In Seoul when you are lost in translation, there is a way to overcome this. Thanks to the Seoul Metropolitan government, they had introduced Free Translation since the World Cup in 2002. All you need to do is call 120 and speak to the english speaking operator. You can even ask things like where is the best clubs around your area, or nearest cinema. Its like a walking yellow pages! The cab driver will usually hand their mobile phone to you, and you need to dial 02-120. That easy!
I really think it's a brilliant idea and very useful for us who is kiasu and kiasi travelling in Seoul!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Namdaemun market tips!
Everytime when I am in Seoul, I always visit Namdaemun market for good bargains like t-shirts, caps, socks and jackets. However, you will notice during the day time there wasn't a lot of so call "fake" branded stuffs. One of my favorite is Adidas shirts and you can hardly find them during the day.
However, when the night time fall, around 6pm onwards, you will find more shops opening on the center of the road. Here you can find varieties of branded stuffs usually labels like Adidas, Nike, and etc. The quality of these shirts are usually very good (compared to those cheaper version you can find in China).
Namdaemun used to open late in the past, however, the business has been slowing down and most shops closed after 9pm! So make sure you go to the right time for more bargain and surprises.
However, when the night time fall, around 6pm onwards, you will find more shops opening on the center of the road. Here you can find varieties of branded stuffs usually labels like Adidas, Nike, and etc. The quality of these shirts are usually very good (compared to those cheaper version you can find in China).
Namdaemun used to open late in the past, however, the business has been slowing down and most shops closed after 9pm! So make sure you go to the right time for more bargain and surprises.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Grade A export market in Beijing
If you are looking for grade A jackets or pants like Boss, Y3, Miss Sixty, Burberry and etc, there is a place where you can find all under one roof. Tell the cab driver to Ritan Shuang Woo (Ritan Business Trade) and it's very near to Ritan Park.
In this building, it looks more like an motel with many rooms, each room was rented out to these retailers who carried all these branded stocks. I was told, in fact some of the stocks they have were genuine. What happened was the factory made say 1000 pieces, but the company only took 900. So the remainder the factory sold to these retailers (it could be slightly out of season stocks too).
You must bargain over here as well. My friend bought a wool jacket with an asking price of 1800RMB, and she got it at RMB900. She tried RMB200 but the shopkeeper waved bye bye to her without regret! Get the point? These are not Silk Market quality stuffs :) Also, chances of you having the same dress with the mass is lower probabilities. Once the stocks were sold out, they will not be replaced. It is usually limited collections.
Well, if you are a shopaholic, I am sure once you are in this building, it will took you hours to get out! Remember to bargain ok!
In this building, it looks more like an motel with many rooms, each room was rented out to these retailers who carried all these branded stocks. I was told, in fact some of the stocks they have were genuine. What happened was the factory made say 1000 pieces, but the company only took 900. So the remainder the factory sold to these retailers (it could be slightly out of season stocks too).
You must bargain over here as well. My friend bought a wool jacket with an asking price of 1800RMB, and she got it at RMB900. She tried RMB200 but the shopkeeper waved bye bye to her without regret! Get the point? These are not Silk Market quality stuffs :) Also, chances of you having the same dress with the mass is lower probabilities. Once the stocks were sold out, they will not be replaced. It is usually limited collections.
Well, if you are a shopaholic, I am sure once you are in this building, it will took you hours to get out! Remember to bargain ok!
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