I seem to be establishing daily routines now. Most days I have coffee in a cafe in Student Street. I go in and the proprietor greets me like a long lost friend. I then ask for coffee in my excruciatingly bad Chinese. A few weeks ago I indicated that I wanted to sit outside so now when I go in his daughter carries a table outside for me. His other daughter carries a chair out for me and the guy who runs the clothing store next door usually appears, offers me a fag, and goes to get an ashtray for me. I settle down with my coffee and the proprietor’s wife then plugs in an electric fan and puts it next to me. Usually a little crowd has gathered now. I’m available for questions and answer them as best I can. Tonight one of the daughters was concerned that my chair wasn’t comfortable enough and brought out an upholstered one.
In ALL the guides to China I read before arriving here there was one thing that they agreed on. Chinese customer service was non existent. I beg to differ.
5 thoughts on “Coffee in Student Street.”
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Could be of course that they are employing strategies to keep you out of their shop …
Yes I hadn’t thought of that.
Or in your dodgy Chinese, you’ve inadvertently told them you’re royalty.
*Whispers* not inadvertently. I’ve been wearing that t shirt.
Mark, it sounds like you are holding court!
Charlie, awesome quip – I’m still laughing.