How to: negotiate your way around the supermarket.
Although the old ‘Produkti’ shops, where you make your selection from across the counter before paying at a cash desk and then returning to claim your goods, are a dying breed, the new supermarkets are not always as userfriendly as one might hope. Here are some phrases to help you out:
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Где можно найти горчицу? Where can I find mustard? (NB, mustard’s in the accusative – it’s the object of what you’re looking for).
Не могу найти зубную пасту. I can’t find the toothpaste.
Помогите, пожалуйста, я ищу изюм. Can you help me please, I’m looking for raisins.
At the deli counter:
Курица на костях? Is the chicken on the bone?
Скажите, пожалуйста, салат сегодняшний? Can you tell me please, is that salad fresh? (literally: today’s).
В салате есть мясо/орехи? Is there meat/nuts in the salad?
Дайте, пожалуйста, двести грамм. Can I have 200g (just under half a pound) please?
Дайте, пожалуйста, грамм двести. Can I have 200g or so please? (the inversion makes the measurement approximate rather than precise).
Don’t forget to weigh your produce before you hit the tills:
Взвесьте, пожалуйста. Could you weigh this please?
Это поштучно. It’s by the unit (i.e. once price per item, you don’t need to weigh).
Так много? Я не буду брать. So much? I’m not going to take it.
The bakery counter:
Дайте, пожалуйста, кусочек/целый торт. Can I have a piece/the whole cake.
Булочки у вас свежие? Are the rolls fresh?
Хорошо выглядит, а как на вкус? It looks good, what does it taste like?
The last hurdle:
Дисконтная карта есть? Do you have a discount card?
Пакет платный. You have to pay for a plastic bag.
Поменьше не будет? Do you have anything smaller?
Мы не принимаем кредитные карты. We don’t take cards.
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