If you take a taxi in Shanghai, you must see this notice on the back of the Driver’s seat:

‘If you need any help (translation etc), please call 962288 for assistance.’

I saw this notice hundreds of times. But just didn’t get the chance to check how good their service was because it was so embarrasing a Chinese asks for translation help in front of a Chinese driver!

But Amanda, my British friend did call the number once in the taxi for help and direction. She said the lady was really nice, friendly and most important, her English was super!

And today I found 962288 is more than in a taxi.

Wendy was going to buy a train ticket to Suzhou on next Monday. And we got this idea to check if 962288 can help the translation with the ticket office staff.

We dialed the number in a train ticket booking office. The lady was very nice and noted down what we need and then asked us to pass the phone to the ticket office staff. After 2-3 times switching hands, we got our tickets. Then we asked the lady is it okay to call her whenever we need this kind of short translation. She said: ’sure, madam, you are always welcome!’

And I must say her English is very very very good, very fluent, not like memorised stuffs.

So if you are travelling to Shanghai, 962288 is always a number you can call!

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