It’s amazing how small the world becomes when you travel. While I was on my way to Abu Dhabi, I ran into a woman in the airport and started having small talk with her. Both of us were leaving from the same gate, however she was heading to Kuwait. After asking her about her international travels, she told me that she was working in Casablanca, Morocco before she was offered a job in Abu Dhabi. She mentioned not enjoying her placement in Abu Dhabi so she was on her way to start a new contract in Kuwait. “Oh wow, I worked in Casablanca too.” Of course we worked at two different schools, however out of all of the people in the airport, I ran into her. When she mentioned the school that she had worked for in Casablanca, I asked her “do you know ….” And of course she knew her. They had previously been working together at the same school in Casablanca. I was thinking, “Wow this is crazy.” “After … left that school, she came to my school”, I said. The both of us started reminiscing about our time in Casablanca and how we had really enjoyed living there. The world is feeling smaller and smaller everyday…
If you read my previous post, I mentioned that I’ve been having some interesting experiences while here in Abu Dhabi. I have tried to separate the crazy from the insane but there seems to be a fine line in deciphering between the two. There are a few experiences that I am going to share with you all and if you think there is something that I need to do differently, then let me know. If you agree that crazy is crazy whatever package it comes in, then let me know that too…
So… one night the girls and I were headed out for a fun night and we decided to go to this restaurant/club. There is a souq here called Shangri La and there are two nightclubs that are next door to each other. We went to one and had food and drinks but the atmosphere was not working and we were ready to go home. On the way out, we walked past the club next door and saw that the music was banging and folks were having a good time in there. We wanted to see what was going on. There were four bouncers at the door checking ID’s. Two of us approached one of the bouncers (Joe) and started having small talk with him. The other two were like “let’s go in”. So… we go in… we have a good time… and we go home.
The next time I went to this club, I was with another friend and two guys that we had just met at the pub that we were at earlier that night. We go to the door and one of the bouncers say, “sorry the club is full, if you wanted to get in you should have made a reservation by 6.” So I’m thinking we were just here last weekend. I know that isn’t true… So I ask him, “What’s up… we were just here last weekend, is everything cool?” He then tells me in so many words, “You should be mindful of the company that you keep (referencing the two guys that we had with us).” So I said, “Basically if we lose the guys then we’ll get in.” He says, “I didn’t say that, you did.” Ok… so I get it now… back to the ladies thing… Abu Dhabi caters to ladies but not to men. So I tell my girl what he said and we decided to ditch the guys. We had just met them at a bar and we didn’t know them nor owe them anything. We go back to the door, they check our ID’s and we go inside. Before I went inside, the bouncer made sure to say, “And I know your name Tiffany.” I’m not thinking anything about it, brotha you just checked my ID… I know you know my name. We go in… we have a good time… and we go home.
The same guys that they had refused entry to decided to get a table the next weekend. They invited us to come out and have a good time with them. Of course we said yes… So this time I am there with two of my girls. We go the door and the same four bouncers are there. I was so nervous because I had forgotten my ID at home and I knew it was going to be a problem with getting in. We go up to the bouncer and he says, “Hello Tiffany.” I tell him hello and before I could even explain the situation with my ID he says, “by the way, your friends are here from last weekend, they have a table.” I said, “Oh really, well I guess we’ll get our drink on them tonight.” He didn’t even ask for my ID… too busy worried about other folks business. We go inside… we are having fun and one of the bouncers approached me. Not the one that was at the door but one of the others. I don’t even remember if we exchanged words or not but he eventually asked me for my phone number. I’m thinking… CONNECTIONS… he’s a bouncer… free tables… no waiting in lines… maybe hook ups for events… heck yea you can have my number. I’m new to Abu Dhabi and I’ve already learned that it’s all about who you know… I gave him my phone and he put his number in. We have a good time… and we go home.
I wake up the next morning at about 9am to a text…. hold on so I can copy the wording right from my phone…
Hi, I will be there in like 45 minutes. Send me the building name tower. When I finish work I will drive by. Thx. club.
Now this was sent to me at about 3am. I was asleep so of course there was no response. There was another text…
Hi girl, are you safely home? Please text me the tower name and floor with room number. Thx club security.
At 6:05am he sent another text…
Hi cutie, u went to bed and forgot to pick my call or text me back. Just let me know when you’re awake. At home chilling.
So when I wake up at 9:40 am, I text him back and we go back and forth about this misunderstanding. According to him “as agreed yesterday” he is ready to come over. What agreement? After telling him that I have a roommate and I’m still sleep, he insults me by saying, “ I thought you would have your own privacy… you’re an adult” and ends the message with “ Anyway, I’m going to sleep, you have kept me awake to wait for your reply… let me know when you are available.” BROTHA…. I kept you waiting from 3am to 9am???… what sane person would wait that long for a (lack of a better word) “booty call”… You better take a cold shower and take yo butt to bed…PLUS…while he had moved on to “wasted time”… I was still stuck on “as agreed”… When did I agree??.... Stop playing…
Sadly, I haven’t been back to that club. I have a strong feeling that when I do return, I may receive a rejection right at the door! After a few days went by, I was able to erase that incident out of my mind until he called me at 7:00am. I was walking into my school building headed to work. I hadn’t saved his number in my phone so I answered not knowing who was on the other line. Crazy man… I quickly rushed him off of the phone and saved his number as “bouncer”… I now know never to answer when that name comes across my phone’s screen.
While I’m on the subject of phones, let me tell you about this other crazy man. One day I decided to add a data plan to my phone package. I had to go to the company counter in the mall to get it added. I am waiting in line and when it is my turn, I tell the man what I want. He took my phone number and verified my name. He asked me what plan I wanted to add and ensured me that the data would be working in about an hour. I told him thank you and I went to Lulu to go grocery shopping. At most, it took about 10 minutes to get all of that settled. About 20 minutes later, while I was in Lulu shopping, my phone rings. “Hello.” The person on the other line says, “Did you just leave my counter for a data plan?” I replied, “Yes.” He then said, “Ok… I will call you back later.” I continued shopping and he never called back… at least not that day. A few days later as I was walking in the mall with my girl, I get a text message… hold on so I can copy the wording right from my phone…
Hi…
You got your 1g data plan on my phone counter in Khalidiay Mall…
That brotha pocketed my phone number!! My naïve self was thinking… dang… it must be something wrong with the data plan. I thought he was calling back to make sure he had the information correct in the system. I guess he thought I was supposed to respond like everything was ok. If he wanted my phone number, the polite thing to do was flirt a little bit, ask me for my number, then feel free to use it as you like. There is nothing romantic about STEALING a number and calling at your own disposal like we are about to have this long conversation. I don’t even know you… Just because you work for a phone company doesn’t mean you can just call up any customer when you feel like it.
While I’m on the subject of using information at your own disposal… My girl Kelsey and I were sitting in my room one day. It was just a regular day from what I could tell. We had gone to school earlier and were home for the evening. We were only home for a few hours and then my roommate came home later. We were all doing whatever we were doing when we heard the doorbell ring. I didn’t pay attention to the ring because I knew I wasn’t expecting anyone. My roommate Ashley yells out, “Are you expecting anyone” as she headed toward the door to see who it was. Obviously neither of us were expecting company. She comes to my room holding two roses and says,
I really don’t know if he actually left the roses because I saw him after the flowers were delivered and he was not nervous or timid toward me. Accusing people of things with no evidence that it is true is haram. He acted very normal and greeted me as usual. I don’t know… Kelsey thinks I’m being too nice and friendly… as always… blame the woman!!! As for the flowers… there is still an unsolved mystery!
So if you are wondering about the title that I used for this post, it is heavily related to the saying, when in Rome, do as Romans do… The next time I post a picture, I’ll be covered in an abaya from head to toe.
If you read my previous post, I mentioned that I’ve been having some interesting experiences while here in Abu Dhabi. I have tried to separate the crazy from the insane but there seems to be a fine line in deciphering between the two. There are a few experiences that I am going to share with you all and if you think there is something that I need to do differently, then let me know. If you agree that crazy is crazy whatever package it comes in, then let me know that too…
So… one night the girls and I were headed out for a fun night and we decided to go to this restaurant/club. There is a souq here called Shangri La and there are two nightclubs that are next door to each other. We went to one and had food and drinks but the atmosphere was not working and we were ready to go home. On the way out, we walked past the club next door and saw that the music was banging and folks were having a good time in there. We wanted to see what was going on. There were four bouncers at the door checking ID’s. Two of us approached one of the bouncers (Joe) and started having small talk with him. The other two were like “let’s go in”. So… we go in… we have a good time… and we go home.
The next time I went to this club, I was with another friend and two guys that we had just met at the pub that we were at earlier that night. We go to the door and one of the bouncers say, “sorry the club is full, if you wanted to get in you should have made a reservation by 6.” So I’m thinking we were just here last weekend. I know that isn’t true… So I ask him, “What’s up… we were just here last weekend, is everything cool?” He then tells me in so many words, “You should be mindful of the company that you keep (referencing the two guys that we had with us).” So I said, “Basically if we lose the guys then we’ll get in.” He says, “I didn’t say that, you did.” Ok… so I get it now… back to the ladies thing… Abu Dhabi caters to ladies but not to men. So I tell my girl what he said and we decided to ditch the guys. We had just met them at a bar and we didn’t know them nor owe them anything. We go back to the door, they check our ID’s and we go inside. Before I went inside, the bouncer made sure to say, “And I know your name Tiffany.” I’m not thinking anything about it, brotha you just checked my ID… I know you know my name. We go in… we have a good time… and we go home.
The same guys that they had refused entry to decided to get a table the next weekend. They invited us to come out and have a good time with them. Of course we said yes… So this time I am there with two of my girls. We go the door and the same four bouncers are there. I was so nervous because I had forgotten my ID at home and I knew it was going to be a problem with getting in. We go up to the bouncer and he says, “Hello Tiffany.” I tell him hello and before I could even explain the situation with my ID he says, “by the way, your friends are here from last weekend, they have a table.” I said, “Oh really, well I guess we’ll get our drink on them tonight.” He didn’t even ask for my ID… too busy worried about other folks business. We go inside… we are having fun and one of the bouncers approached me. Not the one that was at the door but one of the others. I don’t even remember if we exchanged words or not but he eventually asked me for my phone number. I’m thinking… CONNECTIONS… he’s a bouncer… free tables… no waiting in lines… maybe hook ups for events… heck yea you can have my number. I’m new to Abu Dhabi and I’ve already learned that it’s all about who you know… I gave him my phone and he put his number in. We have a good time… and we go home.
I wake up the next morning at about 9am to a text…. hold on so I can copy the wording right from my phone…
Hi, I will be there in like 45 minutes. Send me the building name tower. When I finish work I will drive by. Thx. club.
Now this was sent to me at about 3am. I was asleep so of course there was no response. There was another text…
Hi girl, are you safely home? Please text me the tower name and floor with room number. Thx club security.
At 6:05am he sent another text…
Hi cutie, u went to bed and forgot to pick my call or text me back. Just let me know when you’re awake. At home chilling.
So when I wake up at 9:40 am, I text him back and we go back and forth about this misunderstanding. According to him “as agreed yesterday” he is ready to come over. What agreement? After telling him that I have a roommate and I’m still sleep, he insults me by saying, “ I thought you would have your own privacy… you’re an adult” and ends the message with “ Anyway, I’m going to sleep, you have kept me awake to wait for your reply… let me know when you are available.” BROTHA…. I kept you waiting from 3am to 9am???… what sane person would wait that long for a (lack of a better word) “booty call”… You better take a cold shower and take yo butt to bed…PLUS…while he had moved on to “wasted time”… I was still stuck on “as agreed”… When did I agree??.... Stop playing…
Sadly, I haven’t been back to that club. I have a strong feeling that when I do return, I may receive a rejection right at the door! After a few days went by, I was able to erase that incident out of my mind until he called me at 7:00am. I was walking into my school building headed to work. I hadn’t saved his number in my phone so I answered not knowing who was on the other line. Crazy man… I quickly rushed him off of the phone and saved his number as “bouncer”… I now know never to answer when that name comes across my phone’s screen.
While I’m on the subject of phones, let me tell you about this other crazy man. One day I decided to add a data plan to my phone package. I had to go to the company counter in the mall to get it added. I am waiting in line and when it is my turn, I tell the man what I want. He took my phone number and verified my name. He asked me what plan I wanted to add and ensured me that the data would be working in about an hour. I told him thank you and I went to Lulu to go grocery shopping. At most, it took about 10 minutes to get all of that settled. About 20 minutes later, while I was in Lulu shopping, my phone rings. “Hello.” The person on the other line says, “Did you just leave my counter for a data plan?” I replied, “Yes.” He then said, “Ok… I will call you back later.” I continued shopping and he never called back… at least not that day. A few days later as I was walking in the mall with my girl, I get a text message… hold on so I can copy the wording right from my phone…
Hi…
You got your 1g data plan on my phone counter in Khalidiay Mall…
That brotha pocketed my phone number!! My naïve self was thinking… dang… it must be something wrong with the data plan. I thought he was calling back to make sure he had the information correct in the system. I guess he thought I was supposed to respond like everything was ok. If he wanted my phone number, the polite thing to do was flirt a little bit, ask me for my number, then feel free to use it as you like. There is nothing romantic about STEALING a number and calling at your own disposal like we are about to have this long conversation. I don’t even know you… Just because you work for a phone company doesn’t mean you can just call up any customer when you feel like it.
While I’m on the subject of using information at your own disposal… My girl Kelsey and I were sitting in my room one day. It was just a regular day from what I could tell. We had gone to school earlier and were home for the evening. We were only home for a few hours and then my roommate came home later. We were all doing whatever we were doing when we heard the doorbell ring. I didn’t pay attention to the ring because I knew I wasn’t expecting anyone. My roommate Ashley yells out, “Are you expecting anyone” as she headed toward the door to see who it was. Obviously neither of us were expecting company. She comes to my room holding two roses and says,
 |
| The flowers at the door |
“Are these for you?” Kelsey and I burst out laughing. I was just telling her about all of these crazy experiences and these crazy fools in Abu Dhabi… and to top it off there were flowers at the door. Then I started thinking… wait… who knows where we live? Our apartment building has about 20 apartments total and the majority of the people who live here are teachers. Considering our personal lives, no one knows where Ashley and I live. So our minds start rolling… did the person mistake the wrong apartment… are the roses for me… are they for Ashley… is someone stalking us…the only person that I could think of was the delivery guy from the restaurant on the other side of the building. I remembered the first time he delivered food and how nice he was. Because he had come to the house and knew where I stayed, when I saw him on the streets I would say "hello." One day he was passing out menus to each of the apartments in our building and I just happened to be getting off of the elevator when he was getting on to leave. As any other normal day, I said, “hello.” Before the roses came, I had seen him earlier that day and I can only assume that my “hellos” were being misinterpreted.
I really don’t know if he actually left the roses because I saw him after the flowers were delivered and he was not nervous or timid toward me. Accusing people of things with no evidence that it is true is haram. He acted very normal and greeted me as usual. I don’t know… Kelsey thinks I’m being too nice and friendly… as always… blame the woman!!! As for the flowers… there is still an unsolved mystery!
So if you are wondering about the title that I used for this post, it is heavily related to the saying, when in Rome, do as Romans do… The next time I post a picture, I’ll be covered in an abaya from head to toe.
