Money doesn’t grow on toubobs

It was confirmed by my colleagues today that I am in fact a walking flashing neon dollar sign.

No need for costumes here

My Malian colleagues took me out for lunch today to their favorite local restaurant beautifully located on the banks of Niger River. They have been going there regularly for years and wanted to introduce me to this gem as well. We all ordered the same thing they have ordered dozen times before: the plat du jour (rice) and a soft drink. Except this time, it was double the price. Any guesses why?

After one of my colleagues realized this, he pulled me up off my chair in a fury and demanded to see the manager.

“See this toubob (white person),” he asks the manager, “She lives here, works here, and is not made out of money. Don’t ever overcharge us, or her again. Remember this face. Remember!”

That’s right buddy. I’ll be back, but next time, I’m leaving the bling chain at home.

6 responses to “Money doesn’t grow on toubobs”

Jill
August 28th, 2008 at 07:50

Oh I just LOVE the “white” price. Good to know that it happens in other places too… Every day I deal with it. How annoying!

Jill
August 28th, 2008 at 07:50

p.s. That’s fantastic that your colleagues stood up for you and helped you out. They rock!

shannon
August 28th, 2008 at 10:02

“Bule” in Indonesia have the same problem. I used to get my driver (yes the traffic is so bad I needed a driver if I wanted to get out alive) to bargain if I bought something at a street vendor. If I tried I would pay 3-4 times as much. Irritating!
My youngest loves tempe goreng, which is a popular street food. My staff would buy it for him at a the kaki lima that was usually near my house. I started buying it for him when I took him for walks. After about a month my maid finally clued me in to how much it SHOULD cost. I had been paying WAY too much.