After three years of having the same pre-paid phone number I had to register my Taiwan Dageda Number due to geovernment regualtions which I at first thought were a scam. What a time consumer! A fax from the phone company was faxed to the 7-11 after trying to get the clerk to understand me. (It seemed to be the white face can’t possibly be speaking the local language which happens where I am a lot). I called the company and got the clerk to listen to the pre-recorded Chinese message which he didn’t seem to understand. I was then asked if I spoke Mandarin. I always say a little as I’m nowhere near fluent but do probably have the level of a three year old.
The phone company receptionist then talks to the clerk. The phone company then want to talk to me in rapid fire Chinese. It is then understood I don’t understand what is being said after I had said “ting bu dong” four times and I am put onto an English speaking receptionist who is actually far more difficult to understand the Chinese only speaker. I had to get her to repeat herself four times still wondering “What the hell did she just said”. However the registration form was faxed to the 7-11 filled out and faxed back with a copy of my ARC but what a frustrating undergoing.
It usually doesn’t bother me that people don’t speak my native language here but when they speak it so it is incomprehensible when you actually need help it is another story. End of rant.