People are so wierd
Feb. 22nd, 2009 02:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
trystinnJust received a phone call that went something like this.
H: My boss wants to know if you've heard of those "What to Expect When You're Expecting" books. You know those books?
T: Yes, of course. That's a very popular series.
H: So you have them in stock?
T: Yes, I have it.
H: Do you have it in Chinese?
T: We don't carry Chinese language books. Out of curiosity, do you need it in Mandarin or Cantonese?
H: What are those?
T: Two of the main Chinese languages.
H: Oh. I'll ask the boss. Oh, he's eating so I'll ask him later. So can you get them in Chinese?
Now, let's take a second. First off, she doesn't even know which specific Chinese language we're talking about. There's quite a few, and this is especially important in character-driven languages like the Chinese family group. I checked our distributor and Amazon, just out of curiosity, but couldn't find anything.
T: No, miss, I'm sorry. I cannot order any books in Chinese. The only other written language our distributor carries is Spanish.
H: So you can't just order something like it in Chinese? Maybe by another author?
T: No, ma'm. English or Spanish only.
H: Well, could you do some research and call me back with someone who does?
T: No, miss, if I can't get it from our distributor then I cannot order it for you.
H: What I mean is - can you find some website where I can order it?
T: No. I recommend you try Amazon China or ask folks who read Chinese for their recommendations.
*head explodes*
This reminds me of the gal who wanted me to order a book "in sign language". Took me a few seconds to realize she wanted something in braille but she kept insisting it was called sign language because it was in "signs".
H: My boss wants to know if you've heard of those "What to Expect When You're Expecting" books. You know those books?
T: Yes, of course. That's a very popular series.
H: So you have them in stock?
T: Yes, I have it.
H: Do you have it in Chinese?
T: We don't carry Chinese language books. Out of curiosity, do you need it in Mandarin or Cantonese?
H: What are those?
T: Two of the main Chinese languages.
H: Oh. I'll ask the boss. Oh, he's eating so I'll ask him later. So can you get them in Chinese?
Now, let's take a second. First off, she doesn't even know which specific Chinese language we're talking about. There's quite a few, and this is especially important in character-driven languages like the Chinese family group. I checked our distributor and Amazon, just out of curiosity, but couldn't find anything.
T: No, miss, I'm sorry. I cannot order any books in Chinese. The only other written language our distributor carries is Spanish.
H: So you can't just order something like it in Chinese? Maybe by another author?
T: No, ma'm. English or Spanish only.
H: Well, could you do some research and call me back with someone who does?
T: No, miss, if I can't get it from our distributor then I cannot order it for you.
H: What I mean is - can you find some website where I can order it?
T: No. I recommend you try Amazon China or ask folks who read Chinese for their recommendations.
*head explodes*
This reminds me of the gal who wanted me to order a book "in sign language". Took me a few seconds to realize she wanted something in braille but she kept insisting it was called sign language because it was in "signs".
