Sam's Club

We have a Sam's Club in Shenzhen.  Unlike the Costco in Taiwan that is very similar to USA as far as the product line, our Sam's club is more of a bulk store for here, but they do have good quality fruits, veggies, meats and fresh OJ.  After a preview trip with a friend I decided the 150 RMB (~$25) yearly.

I ventured out to get the membership using the information I could gather after Google translator did their best to interpret the webpage. I knew I needed my passport and wasn't taking the boys so i thought it'd be fairly easy.

I got into the membership line with about 3 people ahead of me.  From what I could see it was pretty standard - fill out an application, smile for a picture and wait for your card.  When I got to my turn at the desk the lady looked at me nervously and gave me an application. I stepped aside so she could continue to help people and filled it out. When I was done, I gave it back to her and she motioned that I needed to go into the next line.  I figured that guy probably speaks more english so he should be the one to help me.  I was ok with that.  That line had two people ahead of me, but I now had a completed application in hand. 

I did a rookie move and did not properly block out with my elbows so that the person in line behind me couldn't cut.  I had my hands on my hips, but left a hole under my armpit where the woman behind me stuck her arm through and pushed her form into the man's hand first.  I looked at him like "seriously?!". He smiled at me and took her application. I thought to myself - maybe she just had a quick question so he's helping her first... Nope - she had the same steps to go through.  I was now pissed.  When she finished I gave him a look that indicated he best help me next.  Well he then turns to some other coworker and gets her to come over to help me.  (You mean he wasn't the right person to help me?!).  The other lady eventually wandered over and I gave her my info.  She proceeded to try to type in my application info, but was making lots of errors.  At this point I was over it and just smiled and nodded. Was it going to matter if the wrong mobile phone got a text for "Cjerie" in mandarin characters about a sale? - um no.

Needless to say I did get my membership card - 45 minutes for what should have taken 10 min.  This was the best I could muster for a smile when they took my picture: