In Canada when you need to find a business or a random product you just Google it. Need to find the nearest hardware store? Google it. Need to find a new computer part? Google it. Need to find a good Korean restaurant? Google it! You can even read ratings and reviews and pick the best one.
In Africa when you need to find a business or a random product you need someone who knows a guy.
Need to find the nearest plumbing store? Ask someone who knows a guy. Need to find a good doctor? Ask someone who knows a good doctor. Need to find a good Korean restaurant? Ask a Korean.
Google hasn't saturated Africa ... yet.
After a while here you end up with a long list of guys in your phone book. Most of their names happen to be Mohammed. We have Mohammed the Taxi Driver, Mohammed the Plumber, Mohammed the Silver Smith, Mohammed the ... you fill in the blank.
Expats are always asking other expats if they have a guy. Do you have a guy who does plumbing? Oh yeah, I got a guy. Do you have a guy who cleans A/C's? Oh yeah, I got a guy. Everything is through word of mouth.
If your first plumber doesn't work out too well then you ask if anyone has a better plumber. Eventually you'll talk to someone who heard that someone else had a guy. So you get the guy's number and try again.
Need something? Oh yeah, I got a guy for that!
In Africa when you need to find a business or a random product you need someone who knows a guy.
Need to find the nearest plumbing store? Ask someone who knows a guy. Need to find a good doctor? Ask someone who knows a good doctor. Need to find a good Korean restaurant? Ask a Korean.
Google hasn't saturated Africa ... yet.
After a while here you end up with a long list of guys in your phone book. Most of their names happen to be Mohammed. We have Mohammed the Taxi Driver, Mohammed the Plumber, Mohammed the Silver Smith, Mohammed the ... you fill in the blank.
Expats are always asking other expats if they have a guy. Do you have a guy who does plumbing? Oh yeah, I got a guy. Do you have a guy who cleans A/C's? Oh yeah, I got a guy. Everything is through word of mouth.
If your first plumber doesn't work out too well then you ask if anyone has a better plumber. Eventually you'll talk to someone who heard that someone else had a guy. So you get the guy's number and try again.
Need something? Oh yeah, I got a guy for that!
