Here are some of the comments / conversations I overheard / participated in at the Embassy:
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One lady who was waiting for her Q number to be called, exasperated when she saw a lot of late comers crowding around Window 6, suddenly spoke out (with a touch of her local dialect accent), which ended up sounding like, "Arin't we sappows to wit for the Q number to be cooled? Why is everybody jumping the Q at Window Sex???" I almost laughed at this, really.
She wanted to say, "Aren't we supposed to wait for the number to be called? Why is everybody jumping the Q at Window 6????"
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Lady at the window serving one applicant:
Lady: What do you do?
Applicant: Ma'am I install such and such. I do this and this for companies like such and such.
Lady: Oh, you have a nice job.
Applicant: Yes Ma'am, it's not too bad.
Lady: Maybe you can help someone I know find a job in your company.
Applicant: (a bit flustered) Ahhh... yes sure. You can tell him to email me his resume.
Then they chit-chat a bit more while the rest of the applicants wait for their turn to have a chat with the Lady.
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Some ladies sitting beside me:
Lady 1: Everything is so slow...
Lady 2: Where do you have to go next?
Lady 1: Photo and thumbprint
Lady 2: Oh, that's ok. After that will be fast.
Lady 1: Really???
Lady 2: Yeah, beccause after that is the Cashier. That's their fastest service.
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During the submission of my application at one window:
Lady: Ok, the Consul will have to interview you. Please wait a moment...
(Lady takes out her mobile phone and gingerly dials a number)
Me: OK. (thinking) "Wow, she's gonna call the Consul to set my interview via her mobile phone???"
(After a few seconds...)
Lady: (talking on the phone) Hello. How are you?.... Did you eat lunch already?... What did you buy for her?.... Ok, get her some sugarcane juice, she likes that very much.... Ok, don't forget the sugarcane juice. Bye.
(Then she noticed me again, still standing in front of her window)
Lady: Oh, please take a seat, we will call you when the Consul is ready.
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A conversation between me and another applicant:
Applicant: (Sigh) So slow... I've been here for hours...
Me: (smiled) Yes, me too. But I'm almost done.
Applicant: I'm so hungry, I haven't taken my lunch, was here since 11 am.
Me: Well, me too and I was here since 8:30 am. I have some candies here, would you like some?
Applicant: Oh yes, please! Thank you.
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During my interview with the Consul:
Consul: What do you do?
(I said a quick prayer that he won't ask me to help him get someone he knew a job in the company)
Me: I'm a __________. I set-up the process for our customers and troubleshoot some process and quality issues on site so my job requires me to do some international travel, that's why I need to request for passport validity extension.
Consul: So where will you travel?
Me: To _____
Consul: Have you been there before?
Me: No, it will be my first time.
Consul: Do you often go to these places? Where else in the Middle East do you travel?
Me: Not always. I was on transit in Dubai a few times. But I was in _____ and _____.
Consul: (sounds a bit disapproving) And is your company taking very good care of you when they send you to those places??? Because those are not very nice places for girls!
Me: (contemplating on telling the truth but decided against it for fear that he will reject my request for extension) Oh yes, they do take care of me and my needs there. :P
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