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Africa Insight: Chewing gum change
Posted by Squiffy on July 2nd, 2008
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We’ve been blogging about the things that we do as we travel. Here in Tanzania, as well as the things that we plan to do everyday, lots of things just seem to happen to us. Amusing little things that seem funny becuase they wouldn’t happen at home. They don’t warrant a full blog in themselvs, but I’d like to document them, mainly to remember them myself, and will call them ‘African Insights’. Here’s the first:
I purchased a bottle of water from a stall at the side of the road. I gave the lady a 500 shilling note and she gave me my change in sticks of chewing gum, with no explanation or indication that this was unusual behaviour. Transaction complete.
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2 comments »
Comments
Comment from Dad B
Time: July 12, 2008, 10:18 pm
The story about the change in chewing gum probably explains the expression that someone who is careful with their money has “sticky fingers”
Comment from daveb
Time: July 16, 2008, 1:32 pm
@Dad B:
At least we got *something* as change. Most recently (in Malawi) the smallest denomination of coins aren’t in circulation any more. So the shopkeeper always “rounds-up” to the nearest 10. I called one on it and the guy said “so I have to lose out, do I?”, to which I responded, “it’s either you or me, pal!”
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