Shoe Shopping

Finally, after many months in TEDA, we are starting to find some good shopping around here. To be fair, it's always been there, but we have only just recently discovered it. Shopping around here can be very stressful and tiring. After a few hours, you're just ready to call it quits. The one-sizedness of everything is also quite an energy sucker. And once you find something, buying it can be dependent on several different factors. For example. Here are some shoes that I have purchased recently (so cute!).

1. First I wander around and look at all the shoes.
2. I pick up a shoe that I think looks good.
3. The salesperson counter-offers with the ugliest similar looking shoe.
4. I waggle the shoe I like, cross my fingers, and ask "what is the largest size you have?"
5. I usually wear a 40/41 (41 is more comfortable), so a 40 is hit or miss for me. That is usually the largest they will carry... =(
6. I will try the largest shoe they have. Either it fits, or it doesn't.
7. If I decide I want them, they will fill out a form in triplicate and send me away.
8. I walk up to a window, give them the money and the form in triplicate.
9. They will give me the change, stamp all three forms, give me a bag, and two copies of the form.
10. I return to the saleslady. She will take one copy of the form, and then give me the shoes.
11. I put the shoes in the bag.
12. My friend Karen will cross her fingers, point at a different shoe, and ask, "Do you have that in 34?"
13. They say no.

Such is life in China... but the shoes are cute! (These shoes are about 60/65 RMB = 11/12 CDN)