T'lie Pone Mawn

T'lie Pone Mawn means how much does it cost (t-as in talk + lie - as in don't tell one, Pone rhymes with bone, Mawn rhymes with dawn, as in when I get up).  This is my favorite, or least favorite, phrase at the market.  Following their response you are supposed to respond, "T'lie Pake (rhymes with bake) and ask if they can do... some price less.  I am usually in what I call a USAmerican mood where I don't want to haggle for my bananas when they are only asking 50 cents for the bunch.  Plus, given the fact that I make around twice the living wage for a family of three in the city, or about eight times what a factory worker makes, I find it a bit stingy to haggle over 25 cents.  I always go back to, which of us really needs that 25 cents more, thus, enjoy your 25 cents, seller lady.  This is a point of debate among missioners, and my teachers, many of whom think it is cultural to bargain and we should pay no more than the locals, I have a different opinion, as you can see, but that is not the point of this post, I digress.

I have prepared this great guessing game for you called, T'lie Pone Mawn.  Think of it as The Price is Right - Cambodia style.  Though, you have nothing but your pride to gain. I contemplated a price, but really don't want to calculate numerically how close everyone is.  If you want to let me know your guesses, you are still welcome to do so.  The rules are this, below are some pictures of various items I purchase (on a regular basis).  I will describe the item and You get to guess how much each one costs.  Next blog update, I will give you the answers.

Good luck!

 

#1 Chicken Eggs -  You must specify here as duck eggs are also popular.  I have had them...once.  That was enough.  They have a MUCH stronger flavor than chicken eggs.  Bonus points, if you correctly notice one major difference between my carton of eggs and your normal carton in the states.

 

 

#2 Butter - This is the way butter is sold here.  I have seen it from Australia, New Zealand... and at least one other place.  I have tried all the cheapest brands and this is definitely the best.  It is a good thing I bake so much in the states that I can guesstimate a tablespoon well, as it is not marked (or marked only in grams)

 

#3 Best Oatmeal -  This is from Australia, I think.  I had only been able to find the quick oats, which are sooo mushy.  Thus, finding rolled oats was a particularly great moment.  

  

#4 - Baking friends, this is how yeast is sold here.  I am guessing because most normal, everyday folks don't have ovens.  Thus, only professional bakers buy yeast.  I actually didn't buy this because another lay missioner had bought it a few months ago and never opened it, thus, I was gifted this awesomeness.  If I come back to the states during my stay here, I will take orders for anyone who wants cheap yeast ;)

 

All of the above items are purchased as a supermarket (some are much more western than others).  A few things to note: 1) Many 'western' foods can be found in the super markets, almost anything you would want.  The catch, you will be paying a HUGE amount for many of these imported items; 2) Prices are not consistent on these items, week to week, they will change.  In my month, I have seen items increase by up to a quarter at the exact same place.  Not sure if this is an inflation thing or simply the person with the price gun selected a different price at the time of labeling;  3) These places have fruit and veggies BUT it is all wrapped in plastic and Styrofoam (so my environmentalist side cringes) and it is not nearly as fresh as the market.

 

# 5 Bananas - Here, they sell bananas by the "hand"  I can't say I had heard that term before coming here but since I had to learn it is Khmer, I now know it in English, too.  These are one of three kinds of bananas they have here.  I have only been able to find two in the market.  These little ones are super sweet, and I think I had similar in Nicaragua back in my youth...  Fun fact, in Khmer Sign Language, they have three different signs for banana because there are three different kinds.  So, how much is one hand?

 

#6 Mangoes -  My one true love.  These puppies are something I really should bargain over, as they are the most expensive thing I buy but I just can't muster the energy to do it... Someday.  Maybe I will take my language teacher with me someday and she can teacher me the art of bargaining.  She actually has a mango tree in her front yard and brought me seven mangoes, so I won't have to go bargaining for the week :)

 

 

 

#7 Dragon Fruit - These are Dragon Fruit, for those not familiar with them.  I forgot to take a picture of the inside (it is white with small black seeds).  See here.   I have decided I want a dragon fruit inspired dress...  Fashion designers, GO!

 

#8 Watermelon - Chinese New Year time is apparently melon time!  This was DELICIOUS!  If I wasn't so worried about my stomach, I would probably live on fruit here.  It is all So GOOD!  These little melons are smaller than the US but look...

 

It is not a fake watermelon like the ones in the states!  It has seeds.  If you have ever been around me while I eat watermelon, you have probably heard my rant about how the fake watermelons these days are going to ruin the youth of the future because they will not know how to have a seed spitting contest.  County fairs everywhere are suffering... But, not in CAMBODIA!

 

 

#9 Carrot - Next Khmer word for you, Care-ott.  Yup, did I feel like a stooge after asking for a kilo of those to be told those were called Care-otts ;)  They are big and fat and delicious here!  It is basically like a farmers' market being my only source of veggies.  But, not DC farmers' market prices.  Hint #1

 

 

#10 - And, last but not least.  These lovely green peppers went into my Mexi-style rice and beans.  My language teachers think it is super weird that I eat beans and rice together.  They don't know what they are missing.

Ok, so those are all your pictures for which you must guess prices/costs.  READY, GO!  

(You can either write down your answers and save for your future checking, or put them in the comments.  I will be curious to know how you do!)

And, as Bob Barker would say, "Always have your pets spayed or neutered." Or, since this is Cambodia, "Rabies shots people!"  ;)