My wife passed me the following note written by our 13-year-old daughter at a family get-together at Sha Tin's very serviceable, recently refurbished "floating" restaurant (now with one chandelier per table). Once, apparently, when Natalie wanted an MP3, her mum asked her to write a proposal. Fast forward several years and she hasn't forgotten:
Yesterday when I passed by a sports shop in Tai Wo station, my eyes flickered to an all black back-pack.
Yes – you guessed it. I hereby use this "proposal" to try and convince you to kindly purchase this useful book-carrier.
Firstly, I know you'll say "why should I get another bag, since I've bought two in the past eleven months?" The answer to that is only simple, as I'll demonstrate the usage of all the possible back-packs I could use but can't use.
Exhibit A: DKNY; May's birthday gift to me; my former school-bag
Not only is it too small, it's also a bit too fancy for school – food stains, dirty floors, colour paints ...
Main Reason: Too small
Exhibit B: Ah Kei's former school bag; the bag I used to use during P5-P6
After so many years of usage, not only does it smell funky, it's also close to breaking. The zipper has encountered multiple break-downs.
Main Reason: Close to breaking
Exhibit C: Nike khaki cross-bag; my first Secondary school-bag; your gift
Yes – there's nothing wrong with that bag, I actually like it a lot. Though carrying books of a massive weight on one shoulder is actually very bad for my growth. That bag will not be of waste – what you most concern – as I'll use it/have been using it to go out.
Main Reason: Leads to bad health
Exhibit D: Converse camping back-pack
This bag was only bought for camping purposes. I've always planed to use it during camps and holidays. It is – like you once said – too big for school. It has lots of compartments, and is most suitable for camping/holiday purposes.
Main Reason: Too bulky
I hope you understand why all the above bags aren't suitable for school, and that I would be much, much obliged if you would purchase this practical, everyday item at the cost of $299 with 10% off.
Guess who ended up stumping up the cash?
Yesterday when I passed by a sports shop in Tai Wo station, my eyes flickered to an all black back-pack.
Yes – you guessed it. I hereby use this "proposal" to try and convince you to kindly purchase this useful book-carrier.
Firstly, I know you'll say "why should I get another bag, since I've bought two in the past eleven months?" The answer to that is only simple, as I'll demonstrate the usage of all the possible back-packs I could use but can't use.
Exhibit A: DKNY; May's birthday gift to me; my former school-bag
Not only is it too small, it's also a bit too fancy for school – food stains, dirty floors, colour paints ...
Main Reason: Too small
Exhibit B: Ah Kei's former school bag; the bag I used to use during P5-P6
After so many years of usage, not only does it smell funky, it's also close to breaking. The zipper has encountered multiple break-downs.
Main Reason: Close to breaking
Exhibit C: Nike khaki cross-bag; my first Secondary school-bag; your gift
Yes – there's nothing wrong with that bag, I actually like it a lot. Though carrying books of a massive weight on one shoulder is actually very bad for my growth. That bag will not be of waste – what you most concern – as I'll use it/have been using it to go out.
Main Reason: Leads to bad health
Exhibit D: Converse camping back-pack
This bag was only bought for camping purposes. I've always planed to use it during camps and holidays. It is – like you once said – too big for school. It has lots of compartments, and is most suitable for camping/holiday purposes.
Main Reason: Too bulky
I hope you understand why all the above bags aren't suitable for school, and that I would be much, much obliged if you would purchase this practical, everyday item at the cost of $299 with 10% off.
Guess who ended up stumping up the cash?
13 comments:
The plan was approved when it contained "try and convince" rather than "try to convince"?
Standards are slipping chez Ulaca!
I haven't asked her, but I dare day she'd respond that what was acceptable as verb complementation in Early Modern English is good enough for her.
Facing endless requests for the latest gadgets or brand-name stuff from kids these days, your wife's idea of a proposal is excellent, I thought.
Spot on, Tapas, one has to draw the line somewhere. For me, that comes at Westlife CDs and posters of Orlando Bloom.
'The zipper has encountered multiple break-downs.'
Definitely a product of the HK schools system!
You mean you didn't buy her a RMB100 Shenzhen knock-off?
mmm, Private beach has a point. We had the kids go to Shenzen with us, pick out their back packs for the new year and then use their charm, chinese and calculator skills to bargain the price down.
Quote of the day - from my son: "You're kidding me. So much! But it's just a fake you know!!"
Luckily it sounded sweet from a 6 year old, from an adult we may have risked having our head's kicked!
Haven't been to SZ in years. Hate the place.
Just 10% off! Your kid with her Canto skills should be able to get more than that.
No flies on this girl. She asked for 30%, they settled in the middle and I got 61 bucks back.
If "the zipper has encountered multiple break-downs" then of course there will be "no flies on this girl".
Pretty good proposal!
Yes, it's worrying how easily she can get what she wants out of us.
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