Lost in Translation

Over the years, we’ve traveled to a few cities in China. Shanghai most often, Ningbo and Shenzhen less often. It sometimes surprises The Cat that each region uses different words to communicate a similar message.

This situation was illustrated this past weekend at home. The Cat and her business partner went for dim sum. One of the orders was choy sum.

Choy Sum

The Cat requested the oyster sauce on the side (she doesn’t particularly like oyster sauce).

Oyster Sauce

Normally, the check will indicate “on the side” or “no” in Chinese. However, this time, the waiter wrote “walk away” for the oyster sauce. As they were in a Cantonese restaurant, we’re not sure if the wording is a regional difference, a restaurant  short hand difference, or just the waiter. Whatever the case, The Cat was amused.

Enjoy.

The Mouse (as told to by The Cat)