Bjorn Vang Jensen wrote:
> Robert Delfs wrote:
>
>
>>We'll set a new lesson next week.  Among the phrases to be learned
>>will be:
>>
>>1.  Where are all the fish?
>>2.  How fast is that current?
>>3.  Excuse me, but  your suitcase seems to be making a "ticking"
>>noise.
>>4.  The pen is in my aunt.  (Always useful in France, so it should be
>>good here too.)
>
>
> Soyong will want to learn her favorite, and ultimate, shopping/haggling
> phrase: "That is my husband over there, and if I pay what you ask, he will
> beat me severely!"
>
> I wish I could say that she has never actually used that one, but I would be
> lying :-)
>
> Bjorn
>

I can attest to the expert haggling skills of Soyong.  During a cab ride back from a restaurant in Cayman during the CAIV2002NEDfest, Soyong had our poor taxi driver so confused and cowed that he was ready to forgo his fare entirely.  She did it in such a completely natural, proper, and courteous manner that the poor man was eviscerated before he knew what was happening.  As the rest of us stepped from the taxi stunned, we began throwing cash at him in sympathy for his plight, to where he probably made double his normal fare and tip.  :-)

Please give my best to Soyong, a delightful and wonderful travel companion, mom, and wife if there ever was one.  You are a rich man, Bjorn.  ...and be thankful that we are all on her side of the negotiations.  :-)

Best regards,
Russ