[Blackjack]

Useful thread. Getting better each day through genuine cheongster posts.

I practically can't speak, understand or write Mandarin; but can do with a bit of market Hokkien. This and iTranslate app in my handphone gets me across to most of PRC FLs.

The apps work best when I think in Hokkien and mentally do my own literal translation into English words, and then input these English words.

If you cannot think in Hokkien (or Mandarin or dialect), do the next best thing ie input 'pidgin' English, or Singlish, just as if you're trying to speak to the FL eg "One hour. How much"?

But always start (using iTranslate app) sms with Hello or How are you. You'll always get Ni hau or Ni hau mah, which most non-Mandarin speaking people know but dunno how to write.

Follow up the salutation with a translation of "I cannot speak Mandarin".

Most translation apps keep a History of the translations made, so you do not need to think everything all over again for the next FL. Just search from the History list, view, copy and paste into your new sms.

Lastly, when you get through the door as a customer, do tell her that you use an app to get the words for your smses to her. This clears all worries and doubts on both side, guaranteed. She will in many cases be nicer to you. Very few cases I experienced where due to my poor Mandarin, they take advantage of me.

Sorry long post, but I always wonder why OKTs, TSes, pimps do not give advice to their FLs to use hp apps.