Actually, not at all.
I finally received a paycheck… 2ish weeks later than the rest of my colleagues, but it’s in the bank! This is the brief story: I went to the bank to collect my pay advance a few weeks ago… only to be told that the money had moved to the main branch. The main branch has the convenient hours of being open from 8am to 1pm during the week. Lucky me, I work until 1:30pm, 1 hour outside the city. I had to wait until Saturday to visit the correct branch only to be told, “You’re not on the list.” Not only was I not on “the list” for a pay advance, I didn’t have an account with the bank. The bank manager was nice enough to bring me into his plush office to tell me that he wouldn’t help me until I contacted my employer. Of course my employer is closed on Saturdays. When I finally made it to my employer on Tuesday (or so), I was told that the two people who could help me are on holiday but will be back “maybe Sunday.” Woot. I sent out a few emails and was just feeling content to wait it out. Today I went back to my employer and while waiting in the lobby found that I had been emailed back! That never happens… I mean, unheard of. Emails go out into the internet abyss never to be seen again. It seems that a nice chunk of dirhams had been deposited into my account. A fellow teacher sitting nearby suggested I go to the bank (after hours, mind you) and try to charm my way in. I wouldn’t say I was very charming, but it totally worked. The same bank manager brought me into his office to tell me that he would help me! Cha-ching!
Of course they cashed me out in 1,000 dirham bills which no cashier will acccept… but for the minute, I’m feeling quite rich.
xo, jill
