African Anecdotes
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One day Marie-José (MJ) asked for some file folders. The stationary man (SM) brought 100 all the same colour.
MJ explained she would like them in 5 different colours to distinguish between the different files.
MJ asked: Do you have a package like that?
SM replied: No.
MJ asked: Do you have five colours?
SM replied: Yes.
MJ asked: Can you take some from each package and put them together?
SM replied (and i am not kidding, it is our running joke about everything here): "Je ne sais pas madame, ca me fatigue." which means "I dont know if I can do it..it will tire me."
One thing I have learned here, is that efficiency is such an integral part of our culture. It is not the same here. We always want to do anything in the shortest amount of time and energy possible. Here, noone is rushed. As for energy, we are still trying to figure out why they hire so many women to sweep the streets every morning with a broom with no handle (?!) instead of putting out garbage cans on the streets.
On working in Africa:
I was in Côte d'Ivoire for 6 months. From my arrival, I had been told that we would have a computer "by the end of the week." Everytime I asked someone when the computer would arrive it was always: "d'ici la fin...de semaine/de mois" that is: between now and the end of the week or end of the month. One time I jokingly said to Clarisse "L'ordinateur arrivera d'ici la fin de l'humanité" "The computer will arrive from here to the end of humanity". She laughed and told me: "No, you must believe it really will be here by the end of the month." Well, I never saw it...
Working in Africa can be quite a challenge. You need tons of patience. You seem to always be waiting for something or someone. At my office, we are waiting for the computer, for the phone to work, for someone to arrive, etc. Our phone probably 70% of the time does not work to call out. We can receive calls, but not make them.
On coffee:
Côte d'Ivoire is one of the leading countries in producing coffee. Why then can I not find a cup of coffee that isn't instant???
We have a coffee maker at work. It is used everyday........to heat the water for a cup of Nescafé.
Little glossary for you:
wôro-wôro: organized car pooling. The car will not leave the station until all four seats (plus the driver) are filled or you pay for the remaining seats. Very cheap but not always so comfortable transportation. Many of these drivers do not have a driving license.
mapouka: Ivorian dance that used to be prohibited, now it's very popular. To dance the mapouka, bend over, stick your bum out, and shake.
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Last updated: September 30, 1999.
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