Using 3 Phrases, She Gets Foreigner Raise Offer from 10 to 500

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Source: OT-Team(G), 光明网

  "Gentleman! Money big boss! Wash shoes!" Recently, Hu Genlan, a shoe shiner from Yiwu, Zhejiang, has gone viral online due to her ability to converse effortlessly in multiple languages with foreign customers.
  A reporter traveled to Yiwu to find Hu and uncover the untold story behind her rise to fame.
  • Self-Taught English, Never Attended School
  The shoe shiner, Hu Genlan, is 53 years old and hails from Yingtan, Jiangxi. She has lived in Jinhua for over a decade, where she has worked as a shoe shiner.
  According to Hu, she never attended school and has done various jobs, from cutting grass and farming to moving goods. Over ten years ago, she arrived in Yiwu and discovered that the city was full of friendly, outgoing people—a personality trait that resonated with her own. This encouraged her to boldly approach people and offer shoe shining services, gradually noticing an increase in her income.
  In addition to her natural sociability, Hu has a strong desire to learn. She recalls that when she saw foreigners calling taxis by saying "taxi," she immediately asked them what it meant. She also learned words like "beautiful" from a foreign woman. Over time, Hu accumulated many words and phrases. Thanks to her "language advantage," she began to stand out among the shoe shiners in Yiwu. When encountering foreign customers, she would say, "Tomorrow big money," which, in essence, is a Chinese expression meaning "wishing for a prosperous tomorrow." It's a phrase that resonates with everyone. "I would listen to foreigners chat and quietly memorize their words. Gradually, I learned a lot. Now, I have made many 'friends,'" Hu proudly shared.
  • Recognizing Foreigners by Their Nationality, Walking 40-50,000 Steps a Day
  With over a decade of experience, Hu has become adept at identifying people from different countries by their appearance and mannerisms. This skill allows her to engage in targeted conversations, helping her attract both business and friendships.
  Hu also has her own unique approach to gaining clients. To avoid upsetting shop owners, she places her toolkit outside the shop, acting like an ordinary customer when she enters. If she spots a foreigner, she uses English to offer her services: "Handsome, wash shoes..." After a few unsuccessful attempts, there's always a soft-hearted customer who agrees, and she takes their shoes outside, sets up a small stool, and shines their shoes before returning them and collecting the payment. It's reminiscent of the "door-to-door delivery" and "cash on delivery" concepts popular in e-commerce.
  Every day, Hu walks the streets of Yiwu, and if she can't find any customers, she keeps walking, covering 40,000 to 50,000 steps daily.
  • Despite a Harsh Life, She Says She's "Content"
  Although Hu has gained viral fame online, her life has remained largely unchanged. Unable to afford a storefront, she continues to wander the streets, making it difficult for online fans to find her and support her business. She still walks the same long distances, earning the same modest income she did years ago.
  Reflecting on her life, Hu says she has come to understand that there are more important things in life than wealth. "Tomorrow happy" is what she hopes to preserve for the rest of her life.