However, when I want to express myself in my own native tongue, it seems impossible.
It's very frustrating when an Egyptian says they speak English and you trust that, but then you start telling them your frustrations and their English goes out the window. They look at you with a confused look. So you decide okay, let's try to explain in another approach, but then you see their confusion turns to a glazed look. And you know you have successfully lost them.
The other day I was in an Orange store renewing my mobile modem and the customer service rep talk me into a deal. At least I thought I was getting a deal until 2 days later. My internet at home stopped working. I went back to the same Orange store to ask why it was not working. I asked for the same representative and proceeded to ask her why my internet stopped working. She said, because it's done. I became quite upset, " what do you mean done? I just got it 2 days ago!" She repeated herself. Absolutely horrendous customer service here at this store. She actually said to me, " you think I'm a liar!" I looked at her and was astounded how she spoke to me as a customer. I told my Egyptian husband, he said it was terrible service and needed to speak to the manager. I should have but felt I would not get my feelings heard, because lack of communication between our cultures.
I'm just saying westerners are used to impeccable service or our money back. Here not so, only rare places offer some kind of compensation. Please Egypt work on your customer service and you will reap the rewards.
