How to buy a plaster bandage in a non-English speaker's shop

Asian owned shop

A recent trip to the Asian owned shop near my place, once again proved to be an eye opener. Once again my non-verbal communication skills got a good old heave-ho, thrusting them to levels newer and more advancedlevels. As usual it is my social responsibilty to share these skills with you so that should you be in a similar predicament, you are able to devise ingenious communication strategies that will take over from where words have been rendered ineffective. Here goes...

How to purchase a light bulb from a non-English speaker’s shop

Twist on light bulb

Screw on light bulb

I had an experience recently when purchasing a light bulb at a shop owned by a Pakistani who speaks very little English. Not only was I left amused, but I was equipped with some invaluable cross-cultural communication lessons which I am proud to advise you about today.

When I told him that I wanted a light bulb, he wanted to know which type. I told him that I wanted the clip-on type with the two small pins sticking out on top. All the while, I wondered why he was making weird gestures with his hands. After walking for a hundred metres or so, I realised that he had sold me the screw-on type of bulb with threads as opposed to the pin type that I had asked for.