Incidentally, a number of not so usual exchange of words and/ or ideas happened this week. Interesting, funny, irritating, but I learned a lot in each situation.
(a) I encashed a check from a local bank. As I presented my passport as identification to the Teller:
She: (Surprised to see my passport/ She saw that page that says, “Not valid for Travel to Iraq”.) Oooooh! She showed that to her fellow-Teller and both of them looked amazed.
Me: Why? Any problem?
She: I’m an Iraqi. (She smiled).
Me: Ooooh! Yeah, that’s a restriction. Due to the current situation in your country. (I smiled).
This happened twice this week. When I was asked to present my passport for another agenda.
(b) I was paying for some services rendered. The payment included few coins.
He: (Speaking in Arabic. I don’t understand but I DID understand. =) @@@@@
Me: Oh, I am sorry. I am new here, I wasn’t aware that I handed Philippine coins (2 pieces of PhP1, it has the same size of AED1. The Arabs are very honest in their dealing and very particular in giving exact change).
(c) That night, I realized that I still have thousands of loose notes and coins of Philippine denomination. The next day, I exchanged these for AED.
Exchange Center Representative: You are exchanging Phippine (he pronounced as “Fi-li-pi-ni) peso?
Me: Yes. What’s the rate?
(d) With a vegetarian colleague from the office:
He: Do you eat _______ (I forgot the name of the spice)?
Me: What is that?
He: Oh, God! You haven’t eaten that in your life?
Me: Tell me, what is that?
He: (Tried to explain).
Me: Oh, you’re pertaining to the big green pepper!
He: No, pepper is only one of India’s many spices.
Me: I am from the Philippines, we simply identify that type as red or green pepper.
He: Oh, man!
Me: Tell me, what are the fishes in India?
He: Oh, I can’t tell. I just know that fish is one of the seafoods. And I don’t eat seafoods.
Me: Our being able to identify if pepper is green or red is better.
He: Is cow’s milk a veggie or not?
Me: Of course, not a vegetable.
He: No, it’s a veggie.
Me: And why?
He: Because the milk is a live product. The cow’s meat is non-vegetable. But, milk is.
Me: (Surprised).
He: What about chicken egg?
Me: Of course, not a vegetable.
He: You’re right. What made you say that?
Me: Because chicken egg is considered poultry.
He: No, because the egg came from a chicken which is living. (Same as cow’s milk principle).
Me: Ok, now I got your point for classifying veggies from non-veggies.
He: That’s good.
Me: So, you don’t eat chicken egg because this is considered non-veggies, right?
He: Yes
Me: But I saw you tried a piece of cake.
He: And so?
Me: That cake has a chiffon. And to make a chiffon, it had eggs, with its white and/or yoke.
He: Aha! (He smiled).
Today…
He: Have you watch from the cinemas here?
Me: No. I am not fond of watching in the cinemas. Movie marathon at home I can do and I prefer.
He: Look at this bollywood film I got. It’s very good, I am sure you would love this.
Me: Why?
He: Just try.
Me: Ok. (Its titled Chini Cum).
He: It is weekend tomorrow. What are you doing?
Me: Enjoy my time, work, etc.
He: Filipinos are hardworking.
Me: … and smart.
He: Yeah. But Indians are smarter.
Me: And why?
And so on.
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