Page 1 of 2

The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:47 am
by WIZARD
I have recently been wondering if any of you have ever experienced the famous Egyptian runabout, being passed from one official to another, pillar to post, and getting nowhere fast. It would be interesting to see how others have fared when dealing with this crazy Egyptian bureaucracy where no one accepts responsibility for anything? .Being told to come back in 10 days seem to be the accepted norm which can go on for months, if not years.

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:20 pm
by A-Four
I do so understand your meaning here Wiz. Twenty years ago, there was a certain way of approaching officials in Luxor, that I am sorry to say, is much different now. I am sure you will remember the days when we would send a new office junior to a different department to collect a 'long stand', and he trying to understand why he is still waiting to receive this, half an hour later. These days, I tend to find that dealing with officialdom in either Cairo or Luxor, one is regarded as a such 'junior'.

Years ago, a simple day out up to Quinna city by train was once almost an impossible mission. By the time you arrived at the station, you was met by a English speaking police captain, who asked where you was going, unless you said Dendara Temple, you was marched to the far end of the station into an office occupied by a four or five star police general. Having removed my hat, placing this under my left arm as I entered, the general reading some document on his over-stretched desk, I raised my right arm, which came in line with his head. He would immediately rise from his desk to shake my hand, and therefore acknowledge my presences. As far as he was concerned, I too could possibly be a four or five star general, though obviously in Egypt, not in uniform. Never failed, always offered a cup of tea, and free to go where ever I wanted to, in any such city without being further hindered.


Luxor these days, that don't work, I leave it to other to answer why not.

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:43 pm
by WIZARD
Not only were juniors sent for a long stand, but also told to collect a couple of six inch hand blown glass hammers and a set of dark blue sterile Ethiopian fallopian tubes as well. :lol:

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:34 pm
by A-Four
Oh so much do I miss the wit of your good self, Wiz, and so many other characters like Arthur, Jewel and K in Abydos, just to mention a few.

I leave it to others to answer why this is so.

P.S. - Though I am sure I will not get many 'likes' from those that remain.

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:14 am
by Who2
You never did explain why you are now not here, or did you ?..... :cool:

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:53 am
by Robbo70
Getting married in Cairo is a runaround. 3 laps of the city over 2 days.

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 12:02 pm
by Dusak
I fell for the ''go to the stores for two boxes of 3/4'' holes so we can start the job'' when in my first week working my apprenticeship. I was given a sealed box the size screws come in. Getting back on the job I gave it to the bricklayer in charge, he opened it, looked at me, called me a **** 'ed as I had brought 1/2'' holes so was sent back to change then. Being then a naive young fool I succumbed once again to one of the initiation jokes.:lol: Those where the days. :up

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 12:48 pm
by carrie
My brother when he was a new apprentice was sent to the chemist for half a pint of virgins water and a long weight.

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 2:05 pm
by WIZARD
Who2 wrote:You never did explain why you are now not here, or did you ?..... :cool:
Never apologize, never explain. If you didn't get it the first time round, you're not going to get it again. ;)

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 2:23 pm
by Bullet Magnet
As I have said before Wizard, my passport does not get scanned at the Airports, Luxor or Sharm,
They just look at it and take out the Nefertiti card hand it back, tap twice impatiently looking at the queue I left behind me and say "Neckst"

Also handy that I now have a new UK passport, so the other 12 visa's don't show up... Just saying.. :cool:

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:02 pm
by Who2
Who2 wrote:You never did explain why you are now not here, or did you ?..... :cool:
OK! if you cannot answer that, which still 'intrigues me. Why do you use large fonts,
we are not impressed by large fonts it's rude and to much Inyer-face if, you get my drift which I doubt... :cool:
Ps: Why do I feel like I'm on somebody's roundabout, is it Magic ?
Pss: 'hubble bubble toil & trouble.......

"Whate'er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks;
Thou hast harp'd my fear aright. But one word more— :cool:

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:03 pm
by Who2
Who2 wrote:You never did explain why you are now not here, or did you ?..... :cool:
OK! if you cannot answer that, which still 'intrigues me. Why do you use large fonts,
we are not impressed by large fonts it's rude and to much Inyer-face if, you get my drift which I doubt... :cool:

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:58 pm
by WIZARD
That reminds me, I must have my eyes tested in readiness for my up and coming 67th birthday in May. We can't have people thinking I'm rude, now can we. :oo

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:11 pm
by Glyphdoctor
Don't you know? Large fonts are the trend these days, especially because many people access the internet from mobile devices. At least Wiz is taking us a little out of this early 2000s time warp of L4U.

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:26 pm
by Who2
MULTUM IN PARVO... :cool:

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:50 pm
by WIZARD
Glyphdoctor wrote:Don't you know? Large fonts are the trend these days, especially because many people access the internet from mobile devices. At least Wiz is taking us a little out of this early 2000s time warp of L4U.
Thank you Glyph for your very kind, enlightened and informative words.

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:27 pm
by Dusak
:tk ...Churches use large fonts, so if its OK for them...

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:52 pm
by WIZARD
Dusak wrote:Churches use large fonts, so if its OK for them...


So they do Dusak. Thank you for pointing out that ecclesiastical observation. :yy

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:06 pm
by Who2
The famous Egyptian runaround.....? "tell us a joke oh Wiz-one!.... :cool:

Re: The famous Egyptian runaround

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:07 pm
by WIZARD
Who2 wrote:The famous Egyptian runaround.....? "tell us a joke oh Wiz-one!.... :cool:


OK Dr Who. I've set some jokes aside for you in JUST FOR FUN.