In our compound it’s not possible to drink tap water. We order water in 5 gallon containers that are delivered to our doorstep. T had inherited some pre-paid water coupons from his predecessor. So we figured why not use them. The water is delivered on Tuesdays, so today I (K) stayed at home and waited for the water guys to come and exchange the empty containers to full ones. There was some confusion because we didn’t know our customer number, which is supposed to be written on the coupons. All we could find was a phone number for Ahmed. We decided to live on the edge and forget about the phone call to Ahmed and not write any number on the coupons and see what happens. The trick was that we had three empty containers, but we only wanted two new ones. So this is the conversation with the two water guys that followed:
K: Hello.
WG1: Uh.
WG2: You not live here before. Live another place.
K: No, no we didn’t, we’ve moved here now.
(guys taking 2 out of 3 empty containers, K trying to give them the third empty container.)
WG1: No. Coupon!
K: Huh?
WG1: Coupon! (pointing at the third empty container)
K: No no, we only need two new ones. We don’t need more water.
WG1: Coupon! Coupon!
K: No but I just want to give you the third one. We only need two for now.
WG1: Coupon! (holding the coupon for K to see)
K: Ok, so do you need a third coupon just to take the empty one away?
WG1: Yes.
K: Ok, just a moment. (K goes inside to get a coupon, already knowing that they don’t need a third one to take the empty one away, just wanting to get rid of the empty container since it takes up space)
K: (handing over the coupon) Here you go.
(WG2 brings a third full container to doorstep.)
K: No no, look, we are happy with two. We don’t need the third one. Only two.
WG2: No need more?
K: No need more.
WG1 and 2 look at each other, although I don’t think they are able to communicate with each other, I can just feel them thinking: “Why didn’t she say so in the first place?”
WG2: We come back Tuesday.
K: Ok, you come back Tuesday. Thank you! (K rolls the containers inside, wonders what kind of a discussion will follow next week if the customer number is indeed needed for the coupons and they just didn't notice it missing this time.)
K: Hello.
WG1: Uh.
WG2: You not live here before. Live another place.
K: No, no we didn’t, we’ve moved here now.
(guys taking 2 out of 3 empty containers, K trying to give them the third empty container.)
WG1: No. Coupon!
K: Huh?
WG1: Coupon! (pointing at the third empty container)
K: No no, we only need two new ones. We don’t need more water.
WG1: Coupon! Coupon!
K: No but I just want to give you the third one. We only need two for now.
WG1: Coupon! (holding the coupon for K to see)
K: Ok, so do you need a third coupon just to take the empty one away?
WG1: Yes.
K: Ok, just a moment. (K goes inside to get a coupon, already knowing that they don’t need a third one to take the empty one away, just wanting to get rid of the empty container since it takes up space)
K: (handing over the coupon) Here you go.
(WG2 brings a third full container to doorstep.)
K: No no, look, we are happy with two. We don’t need the third one. Only two.
WG2: No need more?
K: No need more.
WG1 and 2 look at each other, although I don’t think they are able to communicate with each other, I can just feel them thinking: “Why didn’t she say so in the first place?”
WG2: We come back Tuesday.
K: Ok, you come back Tuesday. Thank you! (K rolls the containers inside, wonders what kind of a discussion will follow next week if the customer number is indeed needed for the coupons and they just didn't notice it missing this time.)
Haastava tilanne. Ensi tiistaina saatatte saada neljä - nolla kanisteria vettä. Who'll know. Salme
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