Lost in translation
I got my itty-bitty paycheck from working at the job fair, so I decided to get myself a little something pretty. I found this. It's certainly lab-created at that price, but I like lab rocks. They're pretty and they don't require picking at Mother Nature's scabs.
The seller is obviously a huge bulk dealer, and with a 99.9% positive feedback rating I felt pretty safe sending my $10.74 to Hong Kong. And I got a bonus! An adorable Engrish shipping notice!
Hello
My dear friend!
We have shipp the item to you on 11-29-2009，If you could not receive the item until 12-25-2009, please contact me ，Normally delivery takes 7 to 14 business days.Sometime maybe some delay at custom.
Please wait with patience.
Once your item arrives in satisfactory condition, please leave us positive feedback. we will do the same for you.
If you are not happy with your purchase , email us before leaving feedback. I am a kindly seller, your satisfaction would be the most important thing in my business. I will do my best to help you!
Best wishes
Things like this fascinate me. There are two phrases I noticed that would never show up in American business dealings. The first is "Please wait with patience." What!? You want me, the customer, to be patient!? And show you respect!?? Fuck you buddy, I come from The Land of the Free® and the home of The Customer Is Always Right™!
The second is "I am a kindly seller." Awwwwwww, how cute! I am picturing a little old man who can barely see over the counter to smile at the children who are stealing cookies. It's just not an image that's usable in the business world, at least not now, and not here.
Is this an indication of the perils of Babelfish-type translation, or a true cultural divide? I could probably write a thesis on this if I was a business major.
The seller is obviously a huge bulk dealer, and with a 99.9% positive feedback rating I felt pretty safe sending my $10.74 to Hong Kong. And I got a bonus! An adorable Engrish shipping notice!
Hello
My dear friend!
We have shipp the item to you on 11-29-2009，If you could not receive the item until 12-25-2009, please contact me ，Normally delivery takes 7 to 14 business days.Sometime maybe some delay at custom.
Please wait with patience.
Once your item arrives in satisfactory condition, please leave us positive feedback. we will do the same for you.
If you are not happy with your purchase , email us before leaving feedback. I am a kindly seller, your satisfaction would be the most important thing in my business. I will do my best to help you!
Best wishes
Things like this fascinate me. There are two phrases I noticed that would never show up in American business dealings. The first is "Please wait with patience." What!? You want me, the customer, to be patient!? And show you respect!?? Fuck you buddy, I come from The Land of the Free® and the home of The Customer Is Always Right™!
The second is "I am a kindly seller." Awwwwwww, how cute! I am picturing a little old man who can barely see over the counter to smile at the children who are stealing cookies. It's just not an image that's usable in the business world, at least not now, and not here.
Is this an indication of the perils of Babelfish-type translation, or a true cultural divide? I could probably write a thesis on this if I was a business major.