Two tin cans and a piece of string

And I thought buying a cell phone was stressful and confusing. Every time I'd ask a question, the sales guy would pull out a Chinese pamphlet and tell me to find the answers in there. Helpful.

Getting internet access to the university’s server was a better time. Two visits to administrative offices later, I took another bike ride this time to a nearby electronics store where I asked for a USB cable to connect my laptop computer to the DSL thingie. But here’s the problem: I don’t know how to say USB, computer, or internet in Mandarin. So I ended up saying “string that connects my COMPUTER (if you shout this word in English and pantomime typing, then I think they’ll understand) to the wall.” They kept their cords out back in some lock box so it wasn’t like I could browse their inventory. Finally, at one point I said, “bring out all your strings and I will see which one will connect from my COMPUTER to the wall.” This has been a very long first day.