I am looking for an English/Chinese grocery list.

I arrived in Shanghai the first of October. My husband and I both work in demanding jobs. Our apartment includes basic cleaning services and linen changes. I am finding that I do need help with grocery shopping, and would like an Ayi several afternoons a week to mop, iron and to buy groceries. I am finding it takes far too much time out of our weekends trying to find the things we need to purchase each week. I am in Pudong, and have been using City Shopping delivery for some things, but their offerings online are limited. The problem is, though, that because my husband and I both work, we don't have the large amount of time it would require to get an Ayi up to speed on the items we want her to buy. A spreadsheet we could check off each week would really help with that transition. I suspect someone out there has already created one of these grocery lists, and I am hoping to avoid having to create one myself.


Also, any other two-income expat couples out there? Would love your insights. I am finding that expat living is very much designed for one income families. I always get a strange reaction from Yopark when I advise them they will need to come to fix something evenings or weekends because we both work. We are the only couple I see getting in a car to go to work in the mornings, too.

Nancy

Are you looking for basics or brand-specific items?

If basics, you may be able to get away with a simple translation book that highlights what you want (make copies and highlight daily items). Or ask an office assistant to create the checklist.

For imported brand items, it may be more difficult as while there are often times when a certain item is out of stock, which means that either the ayi would have to chose another item or opt not to purchase.

There are books in the bookstores that deal with ayi communications and some do have checklists which may be of assistance.

Good luck and a belated welcome!

The Ayi Survival Guide has a massive bilingual grocery and general "supplies' list to work from. In Pudong, you can get it at the little bookstore across the street from Jinqiao Carrefour. For specific brands, you could try saving some labels in an expandable file or even taking a bunch of digital photos to use temporarily until she gets up to speed. (She will learn quickly.) Good luck finding someone--seems like there are plenty of good ones out there. You should be able to find someone in your complex (is there a posting bulletin board?) who is looking to share an ayi's time.

Good suggestions. Many thanks.