Sometimes Doing Good is Hard

April 9, 2017

We went looking for a replacement HDMI to lightning cable today. Success! We found a cable for 16,900 MNT ($6.95 USD). I gave her 20,900MNT, but she didn't have the right change and asked for 1000MNT more. I was confused and thought we overpaid her. Then Chas showed me she had given us 10,000MNT back. It still didn't seem right, but she had dismissed us, seeming to think I was trying to rip her off. We left and were standing in front of the building and I was still trying to run the numbers and figure out what had happened. Jet lag brain was not helpful. I got out my phone calculator and re-ran the numbers and saw that in fact we owed her 5000MNT. We were discussing whether it was worth it to go back in and argue more considering neither of us had a common language. As we did this a Mongolian young man approached and asked in English "What are you looking for?" Chas told me "Well here's your chance, if he speaks English he can interpret for you." So I tried to explain what the situation was and it became apparent his English was limited, but he was willing to try. So we went back in and approached the counter. Before we did I tried to explain to him one more time using the calculator. Once he saw the numbers he understood and explained it to her. She at first thought I was wrong and I showed her the calculations. As she realized that she had overpaid me she said "Yana!" which I believe means "oh Lord!". She didn't have a 5000MNT so Chas looked and we did. We gave her her money back, the young man said Bayartla and left. We left the store very excited and thanking Jesus for helping us help her and for sending an interpreter. I hope he enjoys re-telling the tale of helping the foreigners give back the overpayment. I probably couldn't have done it without him!

Jean