Mahlers on Safari: Speaking of Misconceptions About Africa

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Monday, June 29, 2009

Speaking of Misconceptions About Africa

True conversation with a Bank of America customer service representative just minutes ago...

Me: I live in Tanzania in East Africa and I have discovered some ATM fraud with my bank account which I’d like to report.

Service Rep: (With VERY strong southern accent) Now tell me, is it just beautiful over there?

Me: Parts of it sure are.

Service Rep: My mother-in-law has been trying to convince me to go over there to visit with her. She says she wants to run naked with the natives, but I told her that I’m not so comfortable with the idea of being naked with natives.

Me: Uh…I don’t think you’ll find people running naked these days. In fact, they are probably better dressed than you.

Service Rep: (Confused hesitation) Well… my mother-in-law died a few months ago anyway.

Me: Well good. Then perhaps I can report the ATM fraud?

8 Comments:

suburban dyke said...: Oy vey...

Can't wait to run naked w/ya'll.; 3:50 AM
Brad Lander said...: Hi Hally

My name is Brad and I am a Jewish college student in the States. I'll be in Tanzania for the better part of July working in village health clinics. Maybe I could get your email and we could chat a little more?

Brad; 7:40 AM
Celeste Maia said...: Such a good story!
When I tell people I am from Mozambique, I usually get questions like "how are the giraffes?", or "are there any cars?"
I hope you solved your banking problems.; 10:09 PM
Ruth T said...: Hello Hally,
love your blog and the pics of the Baobab trees. Reminds me of my youth in South Africa ... a while back now!

I wonder whether you could email me as I am struggling with something to be done in Tanzania and you may be able to signpost me to people who can help. All very difficult to try from the UK when you don't know what's what in Tanzania!

many thanks, Ruth

learndirect007@yahoo.co.uk; 6:57 PM
Georgia said...: do you have naked natives serving you dinner too? brilliant story xx; 1:55 PM
Becky said...: reminds me of when I lived in Brazil and people thought I spent my time dancing topless on the beach dressed in sequins. well, maybe I did dance on the beach sometimes, but it wasn't topless or in sequins.
Becky; 4:41 AM
Yolanda Calderon said...: Carla

i had to write a paper for school on africa and i searched misconceptions about africa and i found that many people think that everyone runs naked over there and they also think africa is a country .; 1:55 AM
T and T Livesay said...: Oh my gosh. I relate to this. We have never ending issues with CitiBank and when we say we're calling from Haiti they always make some dumb comment ... just found your blog -- have an obsession with Tanzania and am trying to get my husband to feel the same way so we can come visit.
tara; 5:45 AM