Does anyone know the best way to respond to shop assistants when they ask if you need any help finding anything? (At least this is what I think they may be saying, I usually just latch on to the few German-like words I hear and take a stab, but they could be saying anything really!) If you could post any shop-appropriate responses (in standard German, I won't pretend I speak Swiss German!) that'd be really helpful and would greatly reduce my anxiety anytime someone comes up to me in a shop! Vielen Dank!
Hello,
If they ask you if you need assistance, you can answer:
"Danke, nein. Ich schaue mich nur ein wenig um."
("Thanks, but I will only have a short look around" in a friendly tone)
Terrific! Thanks for that!
If they are asking if I need some help or whatever I don't understand,
im always saying the same - Thank you, im alright! at least then they know that i don't speak German and won't countinue asking something more in German..
I say "I'm just looking, thank you" in slow English and hope for the best.
What's German for "I'm just looking/browsing"? Nothing complex, just three or four words; I don't want them to think I actually speak the language ;)
"Ich schaue mich nur um."
Thanks! I'll stick "Thanks, Danke!" on the end. Not only is it polite but it lets them know that I speak English.
look at something nearby say in very loud, astonished tone " Wie viel !?!?!?" (pronounce as "via feel !?!?!?") start shaking head, and walk to exit, continuing to shake head, periodically stage-muttering "Jesus Gott!" (pronounce as "yay-soos goat!")
Kann ich der Manager treffen, bitte?
(Can I meet the manager, please?)
Diese Milch ist schon nicht gut. Kann ich mein Geld zuruck kriegen, bitte?
(This milk has gone bad. Can I have my money back, please?)
*Someone, please correct my grammar. Thanks.
Ha ha I need the french equivalent of that for Geneva where that feeling is only all too common!!!
And, of course, if "Mein Luftkissenfahrzeug ist voller Aale." doesn't have an immediate effect, follow up with "Bitte streicheln mein Gesäß." If still no joy, one may have to resort to "Wollen Sie zurück in mein Haus kommen?? Hüpf, Hüpf!"
"Sie sind mit einem Lachen bist du nicht?"
"Sie nehmen die Michael mit diesen Preisen"
"Dies ist bei weitem nicht teuer genug - ich will Qualität."
Health warning: Repeating these phrases in a real-life retail environment may result in undesirable consequences. Tongue is firmly set in cheek following Friday evening beverage indulgence.
Hey... That guy rides on the bus with me every day...
"Geh weg du Dumkopf" "las mich in ruh du schweinehund " But don`t say it just think it
"Du hast schön augen"
No, the correct term is: "Du hast doofe Ohren".
I liked the "do not creep out" part, which I sometimes commit because I've looked around the shop for too long and in the end decided not to buy anything.
To: Cannut --
What in heaven's name is a pig dog?! Are you a mad scientist who crosses species?
So far I tend to say basically that... "I'm just looking, danke."
Most folks seem to at least get the gist of this as "looking" and "luege" are about the same (I think not exactly though) and sound almost the same.
Thank you to the others who have given replies in German... perhaps translations along with them would be even more helpful though?
That is a very well kept secret: An ancient Swiss breed mainly found in the Innerschweiz and Ticino. They are very expensive, but seem to be worth it if you hunt truffles.