* 19 Lempiras (Lp) for $1(USD)
Picture Translation:
1 lb of sugar = 7Lp (35 cents US)
1 lb of beans = 15 Lp (75 cents)
1lb of rice = 12 Lp (60 cents)
1lb of spaguetti = 12Lp
I´m currently on pulperia (grocery store) duty. A little kid tried to take advantage of my ignorance of Honduran prices. He asked for one egg and I didn´t know the price and so I asked him. He answered ¨Un Lempira.¨ I double checked out back and was told that one egg went for 3Lp. The kid acted surprised and said he had to double check with mom. He came back and willingly gave up the money. I had a constant line of kids buying candy on another day. It turned out that I was selling sweets for half price and word had gotten around.
This pulperia is not too big, so I will quickly learn its products and prices. People here are not too impatient and wait as I run back and forth asking for prices. I make sure that they dont´t yell out !!VENDAME¡¡ I´m sure that they miss it.
My first job when I arrived in the US (96) was as a grocery store clerk. This was a high pressure job for me because I knew zero of what I was selling. I had to quickly learn about food stamps, credit cards, checks and the monetary system. I didn`t know what a pacifier was, or zig-zag paper for example. I was completely lost in the produce department. I didn´t know the different types of apples, tomatoes, lettuce or potatoes. Belize only carried one of each and apples were Christmas time luxury (I still relate apples with Christmas). Just picture the long frustrated lines that will form at my register as I struggle to name and price different items. Looking back, I think that this was a great way to begin immersing in the United States. It is also a good way to start learning about Honduras.
Picture Translation:
1 lb of sugar = 7Lp (35 cents US)
1 lb of beans = 15 Lp (75 cents)
1lb of rice = 12 Lp (60 cents)
1lb of spaguetti = 12Lp
I´m currently on pulperia (grocery store) duty. A little kid tried to take advantage of my ignorance of Honduran prices. He asked for one egg and I didn´t know the price and so I asked him. He answered ¨Un Lempira.¨ I double checked out back and was told that one egg went for 3Lp. The kid acted surprised and said he had to double check with mom. He came back and willingly gave up the money. I had a constant line of kids buying candy on another day. It turned out that I was selling sweets for half price and word had gotten around.
This pulperia is not too big, so I will quickly learn its products and prices. People here are not too impatient and wait as I run back and forth asking for prices. I make sure that they dont´t yell out !!VENDAME¡¡ I´m sure that they miss it.
My first job when I arrived in the US (96) was as a grocery store clerk. This was a high pressure job for me because I knew zero of what I was selling. I had to quickly learn about food stamps, credit cards, checks and the monetary system. I didn`t know what a pacifier was, or zig-zag paper for example. I was completely lost in the produce department. I didn´t know the different types of apples, tomatoes, lettuce or potatoes. Belize only carried one of each and apples were Christmas time luxury (I still relate apples with Christmas). Just picture the long frustrated lines that will form at my register as I struggle to name and price different items. Looking back, I think that this was a great way to begin immersing in the United States. It is also a good way to start learning about Honduras.
0 comments:
Post a Comment