Beijing : Business Has No Language

Within the framework of the training dubbed, “Seminar on Young Media Professionals for African Countries,” participants visited a shopping mall in the city of Beijing on September 9, 2023 to purchase souvenirs. In that particular mall, one could easily identify so many persons from different nationalities struggling to shop but were unable to express themselves in the Chinese Language. Another noticeable aspect of the mall was that, almost every Chinese vendor could say a few words in English, at least, to woo customers but when it was time to get deep into bargaining, that is where the language barrier stepped in. 
In order to make turnover, the vendors have resorted to mainly using calculators in writing the prices of goods. If the customer is not okay with the price, he or she will equally get the calculator to type in the proposed price. This procedure can go on for minutes until the trader and the customer get to a consensus. But when they don’t get to a consensus, a majority of the traders could easily voice out the word “No”.
Another problem comes in at the level of marketing the goods. Since this cannot be written in the calculator, vendors have resorted to using sign language. If it has to do with a dress for example, they will use facial expressions and fingers to tell you how good the quality is. Some will open up the dress, to show the brand and why the price is higher as compared to a similar one. Customers who do not speak Chinese equally find it very difficult to explain exactly what they want. But when the need is real,...