Help, I'm in the grocery store...

[mrarlen]

Hi gang,

I can't seem to understand what I'm being asked in the grocery store at the checkout line. It might be as simple as paper or plastic, but everytime I'm in a store, I just can't make it out... and I'm too ashamed to ask them to repeat it.

Do you know what I'm talking about?
Help!


mrarlen

[Elfunko]

To ashamed to ask?? Could be a number of things they are asking you. Why not just repeat it as jibberish as best you can, then get them to clarify what it is they said that you cannot hear. I know, its risky, and many brave men may die, but g***d***it somebody has got to do it!

[markystar]

もう一同お願いします、ゆっくりお願いします*
you should know that one by heart by now
actually just ゆっくりお願いします** would be enough

*mou ichidou onegai shimasu, yukkuri onegai shimasu
once again please, slowly please
**yukkuri onegai shimasu
slowly please

without hearing what they're saying to you, i can't really help.
bring a recorder and post it here, might be interesting for people outside of japan to hear.

one thing i pops into my mind...
ポイントカードあります？ pointo kaado arimasu ka?
"do you have a point card?"
if yes, ”はい、あります。” "hai, arimasu!" "yes, i've got one."
if no, ”ないです。”　"nai desu." "no, i don't have one."

[mrarlen]

Sorry, I'm back in Hawaii now. and can't tell you what they said.

I thought there might be a standard phrase they use as you're checking out.

It's not pointo caado armasuka? because I understand that.

The last time I heard it I was in Daiei near Yokohama station.

Thanks for thinking about it...

I'll be back in July and I'll ask next time I hear it.

=)
mrarlen

[annie]

There are a lot of set-phrase, polite things that they say to customers here. So, it's possible that what they're saying isn't even a question at all.

If you pay by credit card they'll ask you, how many months you want to pay the bill over.
And, if you get a bento, they'll ask if you want chopsticks.
If you're at the convenience store, they'll ask if you want your bento warmed up.
If you only have 1 item, they might ask if you need a bag.
If you're buying frozen things, they might ask if you want dry ice.

Other than that, they might just be trying to be friendly.

[mrarlen]

Actually, that helps.

Thanks!

[Elfunko]

I try to mubmle out what I just heard with correct intonations so it sounds similar and they realize I'm trying to repeat what they said, thus confirming I understand, and as I can't they usually repeat what they said. The I repeat what they said as best I can, then they add more, till you get the whole damn thing of what tehy said. It's more effective that asking for the question one more time for teh fact that you repeat the phrase with like free language instruction since most native speakers will work with you until a level of proficiency. Ganbareee!

[Psy]

I try to mubmle out what I just heard with correct intonations so it sounds similar and they realize I'm trying to repeat what they said, thus confirming I understand, and as I can't they usually repeat what they said. The I repeat what they said as best I can, then they add more, till you get the whole damn thing of what tehy said. It's more effective that asking for the question one more time for teh fact that you repeat the phrase with like free language instruction since most native speakers will work with you until a level of proficiency. Ganbareee!

That's a fabulously good idea, funko. The problem with mou ichido is that if you didn't get it the first time, you probably won't get all of it the 2nd time (those set phrases happen fast). Forcing your way through it part by part, speaking aloud in a situation where a native has to correct you I imagine would help loads. Speaking of which, I'm going to take this rare opportunity to correct a site admin:

もう一同お願いします、ゆっくりお願いします*
you should know that one by heart by now
actually just ゆっくりお願いします** would be enough

It's 一度 not 一同! SHORT VOWEL! You've been in Japan too long, man! You're starting to fall prey to the infamous henkan miss!