At the Gallery of Modern Art there is an exhibit which depicts a Shanghai supermarket. A small one, one you are likely to find in the back streets, a small convenience store. All the packaging was empty - but it gave people an opportunity to look at the products on the shelves, some of which was packaged such that the product would be familiar. I think of OMO, Pantene, and so on.
I remember the first time I went into a supermarket, opposite the college, late one night just after we arrived,and I was overwhelmed by all the Chinese writing and the 'unfamiliar' products. I learned in time, to recognise the packaging,and yes, there is some English (more and more so) on the packages which makes it easier, but first glance, it is a challenge.
3 comments:
That is how people who can't read and write have to identify things. I often say that being illiterate is like being in China.
Regards,
peter
OH! Those soup bouillon singles were a STAPLE in my apartment in China! And the laundry detergents cracked me up. I washed my laundry with fabric softener for two weeks!!! :)
I lingered over the display recalling my anguish when I first went into a Chinese supermarket, but I did become very comfortable later on, working out what was what.
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