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If there is a place that can satisfy the shoppers’ appetite most, it must be China. Abounding with various unusual and characteristic goods, China will never make you disappointed or worried about what to bring back. As wonderful mementos and gifts for your friends and relatives, special merchandise of various kinds, including Chinese silk, tea, antiques, paintings and calligraphy, Chinese medicines, jade and pearls, handicrafts, among others, are always available for your choice. Distinctive things are mainly sold in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and especially Hong Kong, the city which is reputed worldwide as a ‘Shopping Paradise’. It is the shopping destination that tourists most long to visit. Different Chinese cities have different local specialities： Beijing is noted for cloisonne enamel and fresh water pearls; Shanghai is renowned for jade; Xi’an is celebrated for antiques and rugs, while Guilin is famous for scroll paintings and bijouterie. Particularly, Suzhou and Hangzhou are well known for silk and tea. All will provide plenty of ideas for fulfilling your shopping trip.

While doing business in China, many businessmen also enjoy shopping here. They would like to buy various gifts from different places for China and send them to their friends or relatives in their own countries.

Mr. Baker is buying an overcoat in a shop of Xi’an. A Chinese

Baker： I’d like to see an overcoat for the autumn. Not too heavy and not too light.

Baker： It’s much too light in color for the autumn. I’d rather have something darker, and a bit heavier.

Saleswoman： What about this then? It’s made of exceptionally good quality, pure wool, very soft.

Baker： I like this style, but I don’t care for the color. It’s loose at the waist, and it’s a bit too large.

Saleswoman： What about this one? We have this model in several sizes and colors, dark brown, light green and yellow, and crimson.

Saleswoman： Yes, sir. This is your size. It’s a lovely dress and very smart. It’s in fashion now. Would you like to try it on?

Baker： All right, it just suits me, I’ll take it. How much do I have to pay?

Baker： That’s rather more than I thought of paying. I should have something cheaper.

Saleswoman： Maybe a little dearer, but the quality is very good. It’s exceptionally good in material and the handicraft is more exquisite. It wears very well and keeps its shape.

Baker： I’d also like to buy a present for my friend, but I haven’t decided what to buy.

Saleswoman： I’ll recommend some items for you which will certainly satisfy you. How about this blue tie? It’s a famous brand. It stands wear and never loses shape. And it is for clearance.

Saleswoman： Yes, we do. Please go to the cash counter and pay for it. I’ll wrap it up for you.

Saleswoman： By the way, be careful that the receipt says： unrefundable for final clearances, and exchange within one week with receipt only.

Mr. Baker is, then, choosing the arts and crafts at the shop with a shop assistant.

Baker： I’d like to buy a medium-sized cloisonné vase with a light blue background.

Saleswoman： I’m sorry, sir. They are sold out. We only have some big ones now, but we are expecting to have some tomorrow.

Saleswoman： Yes, sir. How would you like this one? The background is pale blue with traditional Chinese paintings of flowers and birds.

Baker： It’s attractive. I’ll take a pair. I am sure my wife will like them.

Saleswoman： Cloisonné is a traditional work of art in China. Its making involves a a complicated process and it is entirely out of my depth.

Baker： We cannot hope to know everything about anything. Can you pack the vases and send them to New York by mail for me?

Baker： OK. How much should I pay then? I think the vase would look well in my drawing room. It looks bare without a vase.

Saleswoman： Five thousand yuan altogether, including the postage and the charge for the packing. You know, we’ll have to make a special box.

Mr. Zhang is helping Baker decide what gifts to give to his family back home.

Zhang： That’s great. It’s been a while since you’ve seen them, hasn’t it?

Zhang： So, you must be thinking about how happy you’ll be to see them again.

Baker： Yes, that’s true. But I’m also thinking about what kinds of gifts I should bring back from China for everyone—my brother, my sister, her husband and daughter, and of course, for my parents.

Zhang： Of course, you want to bring back some typical Chinese things. How about some Chinese kites?

Baker： Hey, that’s a good idea! You and I had a lot of fun flying kites together. I’m sure my niece would get a kick out of flying a Chinese-style kites too.

Baker： Zhang, you’re a genius! Beijing Opera masks are not only very colorful, they’re very exotic too! My parents will really like them. Okay, now I have to think of something to buy for my sister. That’s a tough one!

Zhang： Don’t be so pessimistic, Jerry. Does she like exotic fashions? Maybe you could bring back a qipao, a traditional Chinese dress.

Baker： Of course! Another great idea! How do you think of these ideas so easily, Zhang?

Baker： Okay, now the toughest people to shop for—my brother and my sister’s husband. What in the world could I bring back for them?

Baker： Yes, that’s right. He hopes to come to China after he graduates from university.

Baker： Sure, he’d love that. He’s crazy about kung fu movies, so he can have fun and learn at the same time! You amaze me, Zhang.

Zhang： Geniuses will do that! Okay, now for your brother-in-law. I think you’re on your own there!

Baker： Well, I could just get him a “I’ve been to the Great Wall” T-shirt.

Words and Expressions

abound with充满 memento n. 纪念品，引起回

merchandise n. 商品，货品　antique n. 古董，古玩，古风

distinctive adj. 有特色的，与众不同的

be noted for以……而闻名 cloisonné enamel景泰蓝

scroll painting画轴，卷轴画　　 fulfill v. 履行，满足，实现，

prevalent n. 流行，普遍，广泛　　　facilitate v. 促进，帮助，使

vendor n. 小贩，卖主，自动售货机 conversion rate 汇率，兑换率

voucher n. 证人，凭证，收据　　authenticity n. 真实性，确实

wax seal 原蜡，蜡封　　　　jade carving 玉雕

exceptionally adv. 特殊地，异常地，例外地

fitting room试衣　crimson adj. 深红色的

in fashion 合于时尚，流行 exquisite adj. 精致的

cash counter 收银台　　　　　　unrefundable adj. 不退还的

final clearance 最后清仓 postage n. 邮资，邮费

fly kite 放风筝　　get a kick 得到极大的乐趣

exotic adj. 外来的，异国的　　pessimistic adj. 悲观的

1. It’s much too light in color for the autumn. I’d rather have something

darker, and a bit heavier. 在秋天穿，它的颜色太浅了。我想要一件颜色深点厚一点的。light 是形容词，意为（颜色）浅的，例如：His hair was light brown. 他的头发是淡褐色的。heavy则意为“（衣服）厚的”。

2. It’s made of exceptionally good quality, pure wool, very soft. 它的质量非常好，纯羊毛的，非常柔软。exceptionally 意为“例外地，特别地”，例如：She sings in an exceptionally pure soprano. 她以异常纯美的高音歌唱。

3. May I try this on? 我可以试一下吗？try on是固定搭配，意为“试穿”，例如：Several pairs of shoes were tried on, but none of them were satisfactory. 试了好几双鞋了, 但没有一双是令人满意的。

4. Please come with me to the fitting room. 请随我去更衣室。fitting room 意为“试衣间，更衣室”。

5. I like this style, but I don’t care for the color. It’s loose at the waist, and it’s a bit too large. 我喜欢这种风格，但不喜欢这种颜色。腰上很宽松，有点太大了。care for 意为“喜欢”。其次，请注意这里描述衣服大小、合身的形容词，loose意为“宽松的，大的”。与此相翻的表达有tight “紧的，小的”。例如：I can’t take my boots off; they’re so tight! 靴子太紧了, 我脱不下来！

6. Let me see the crimson one, in my size, please. 请让我看看深红色的适合我大小的那件。size意为“尺码”，例如：There are all sizes of gloves in our shop. 我们店里有各种尺码的手套。

7. Please go to the cash counter and pay for it. 麻烦到收银台付账。cash counter意为“收银台”。

8. I’d like to buy a medium-sized cloisonné vase with a light blue background. 我想买一个中等大小浅蓝底色的景泰蓝花瓶。cloisonné即cloisonné enamel 景泰蓝，又名珐琅，是我国著名的传统手工艺品，在我国已有600多年的历史,它集历史、文化、艺术与独特的传统工艺于一身,古朴典雅,精美华贵并以独特的民族风格和深刻的民族内涵闻名中外。

9. They are sold out. （这些东西）已经卖掉了。sell out 意为“卖掉，卖光”，例如：All the tickets for the last performance have sold out already. 最近一场演出的票已经全部卖光。

10. The background is pale blue with traditional Chinese paintings of flowers and birds. 底色是灰蓝色的带有中国传统的花鸟画。pale blue意为“浅蓝色，灰蓝色”。

11. Its making involves a complicated process and it is entirely out of my depth. 它的制作是一个复杂的过程，而且完全非我力所能及。out of one’s depth意为“力所不及，超越某人的能力”，例如：I am out of my depth when it comes to cooking. 提到烹饪，就超过我的所能了。

12. Oh, hi Zhang. I didn’t hear you approaching. 嗨，张。我刚没听到你走过来。Zhang是姓不是名字，通常人们都称呼名字不带姓表示相互之间没有距离，但一些外国人可能因为分不清中国人的姓名顺序而误叫到姓以为是名字。

13. I’m sure my niece would get a kick out of flying a Chinese-style kites too. 我确信我的外甥女也会从放中国风筝中获得乐趣。get a kick out of是固定搭配，意为“因某事感到愉快”。例如：Some people get a kick out of the danger in motor racing. 有些人从赛车的惊险中寻求刺激。

14. Beijing Opera masks are not only very colorful, they’re very exotic too! 京剧脸谱不仅非常绚丽多彩，而且也非常具有异域风情！Beijing Opera masks“京剧脸谱”。京剧是中国的“国粹”，已有200年历史。京剧脸谱，是具有民族特色的一种特殊的化妆方法。它是根据某种性格、性情或某种特殊类型的人物为采用某些色彩的。

15. That’s a tough one! 这是个难题。tough 常用在英语口语中，意为“困难的”。例如：This is a tough problem. 这是一个难题。

16. What in the world could I bring back for them? 我究竟该给他们买点儿什么好呢？what in the world 的意思是“究竟怎样……”，in the world 在这里起到副词的作用，加强语气。例如：What in the world do you call that? 你到底把那东西叫什么？

3) I’d like to buy a medium-sized cloisonné vase with a light blue background.

1) I’d like to see an overcoat for the autumn. Not too heavy and not too light.

2) 这件衣服颜色很好，但是我不喜欢这个款式，你能给我推荐些更多的款式吗？

4) 请注意收据上说的：最后甩卖概不退货，一周之内可凭收据换货。

1) I’d also like to buy a present for my friend, but I haven’t decided what to buy.

Find a partner and act the following roles accroding to the situation described：

Situation： Mr. Cullen is buying a gift in the shop. A saleswoman tries to talk with him.

You are Mr. Cullen, an overseas student from the U.S.

1) Choosing a gift for his girlfriend.

2) The gift can’t be too expensive.

3) The gift needs to be sent to New York by mail.

You are the saleswoman in a shop of Beijing.

1) Inquiring about the customer’s demands.

2) Giving the customer some suggestions and introducing the products.

3) Bargaining with the customer.

Shopping in China is of great fun, interesting and challenging. Here is some advice for foreign shoppers：

● Credit Cards including Master Card, Visa, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, Million, Federal, all are acceptable in most large Chinese department stores. However, cash is more prevalent in China. Be sure to carry sufficient small notes to facilitate buying from street vendors so they won’t be required to make change for large notes.

● Bargaining is the norm, especially in the market or small shops. Try to bargain whenever you shop. Be sure to bring a calculator to help you with conversion rates. If you make a counter offer, you should be prepared to buy the item if your offer is accepted.

● Always ask for a receipt. It is a valid voucher if you need to return purchases. Furthermore, China customs sometimes will require receipts to be shown when you leave China.

● Special local products are available, especially antiques, jade, pearls, paintings and calligraphy among others. You should be careful as to their authenticity. High value items should be bought in regular legal shops.

● Make sure that the antiques you buy carry a wax seal indicating that it is authentic and is able to be exported from China. Be aware that antiques dating before 1795 cannot be legally exported. Please keep the purchase receipts as Customs will ask you to provide them when leaving China.

● Be aware that some goods are not allowed to be exported from China, including jade carvings, cultural relics, etc. Before your purchase, you must confirm whether it can be allowed to pass the Chinese Customs.