Hiring standards at Vodafone Egypt are low

Me, at my local Vodafone store: "Hello, I'd like to reactivate the internet on my phone."
Store clerk, looking at my iPhone4 with great suspicion: "You get internet on that thing?"
Me, slightly baffled by her ignorance: "Um, yes. It's been working for months now, I just need to top up my monthly credit because it has expired. It costs 50 pounds."
Store clerk: "Ok, let me check our internet plans." She proceeds to do some typing and scrolling on a computer.
Fast forward about five minutes. No really, it took that long.
Store clerk: "Oh yes, it seems we do have pre-paid internet packages. What type of phone do you have?"
Me, still baffled, growing impatient: "An iPhone 4. I would like to get the 50 pound package. It lasts one month."
Store clerk, after she has done some more typing and scrolling: "That will be 50 pounds, please."
Me, bank card in hand: "Do you take cards?"
Store clerk, now looking at my bank card with great suspicion: "Yes, we do, but that card won't work. It hasn't got the right logo on it."
Me: "Well, it worked last time. Can you please try? I don't have any cash on me."
Store clerk: "No, it won't work. Please come back for your purchase when you have cash."
At this point I just didn't know what to say anymore, so I rolled my eyes at her, and said 'wallahi, inti homaar!' ('My God, you're a donkey', a pretty serious insult around here) and left.
Another dent in my trust in the competence and overall intelligence of the Egyptian people.

Via: Ester Meerman
Original Blog Post : Stories from Cairo - What I learned today (5): Hiring standards at Vodafone Egypt are low