The primary reason for spending the last few weeks in Jordan has been to start learning Arabic, but there is another motive. To be effective in our new work a clear understanding of culture and customs are needed. This can be anything from how to greet people - especially those of the opposite sex - to learning to do things in a Middle Eastern way and not in a 'Western' way.
I recently had to post a book so I took my package to the Post Office (2 miles away) only to be told that the package has to be unsealed so that they can check the contents. The next day I returned with my new package (with some tape on a corner which had started to rip) only to be told that no tape is allowed on a package. The following day I learnt that you had to write the return address on the package (I'm having enough trouble learning Arabic without bothering about Post Codes). The next day I was satisfied that everything was fine - you guessed it - if I wanted my package to go by ordinary post ($5) it had to be fastened by a folding metal clip, a sealed package could only be sent by registered post ($20). OK so where can I get a metal clip? Apparently the only stationers that sells them is 'Downtown', I know because I checked all the local ones; have you ever tried to buy something in a foreign language when you don't know what its called in English? Today I successfully posted my book. You may ask why the postal procedures were not explained on my first visit, well that is only relevant if you've got something better to do, queueing is a way of life here. P
1 comment:
This sounds so familiar.... We have to show the post master what we are posting too. So take the birthday present, the paper, the glue and try to wrap it in a busy post office without a table. Sorry folks all our gifts are now coming from Amazon!
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