Saturday, October 20, 2012

Telephones, Cell Phones and Beeps


I’ve never really enjoyed talking on the phone. In fact, I loathed and feared it as a young adult. During the awkward stage of braces, I begged my mom to call and schedule all my orthodontist appointments and to top, I hid in my room hoping that either my mom or dad called for pizza.

In high school, I rarely called my friends after school. It certainly wasn’t because I didn’t like them, nor was it because I lacked friends. I simply just preferred / continue to prefer one-on-one conversations. And I’d like to believe my close high school friends knew I still liked them even though I rarely called. I also tried to make up for it by chatting during extracurricular activities such as yearbook, volleyball, French club, etc.

In college, the world of technology threw me a bone, and it wasn’t just because cell phones were a must-have. It was because technological geniuses invented texting. What a Godsend!! Of course there are texting maniacs who text on their phones—WITH BOTH HANDS—as though they’re playing on a DS. This in itself is also the very reason I have never owned a cell phone similar to a sidekick (or a flip phone that opens up into a keyboard). Sorry if I offend those who own one but you look like an idiot walking on the street, texting with both hands.

In Togo, I envisioned PCVs only using cell phones for emergencies or the occasional freak-out call between PCVs. “Why am I here?!” “Two years? Holy shit?!” What? PCVs don’t have freak-outs.  But anyways, as to be expected, my ideas of PC life changed once I arrived in Togo. Truthfully, PCVs text all the time. We text about work, social life, insects we find in our houses, and even bowel movements. But this post isn’t about phone interactions from PCV to PCV. This post—finally getting to the point—is about Togolese communicating with PCVs via cell phone.

How could it be different?

Well, Togolese beep. Beep? Think of your cell phone as a pager. Why do they beep? More often than not, it’s because they don’t have enough phone credit—because most African countries are on a pay-as-you-go system—to call or even text. OR…Togolese assume that PCVs have money to return their beep with a phone call. Unfortunately, as PCVs, we’re not exactly rolling in the dough, which some Togolese understand but not all. No matter if they get it or not, it doesn’t stop me from saying to a Togolese “PAS DE BEEPS!” if he or she asks for my number. I once played this game of beep tag, which meant I played five rounds of a Togolese beeping me and me returning the beep with a beep. Evening entertainment if you will.

What else is different?

Togolese call just to say “Hey.” Sure, grandmothers and distant aunts call to catch up or just say “Hey,” but here even strangers or random Togolese work partners call to say “Hello” and that’s it. Literally, that’s it.

Here’s an example:
A possible work partner (PWP) calls me one day after meeting me.

PWP: “Hello.”

Me: “Hello.”

PWP: “It’s so-and-so from this-and-that, you remember?”

Me: [Searching my brain for a name with no luck.] “Oh yes, hello, how are you?”

PWP: “I’m good. Just calling to say ‘Hello.’”

Me: “Okay, well hi.”[Awkward silent pause.]

PWP: “Alright, have a good night.”

Me: “You too.”

Ummmmmm…what?! Was that really worth 100CFA? It’s a sweet thought, but really, come on Togo.

The call just to say “Hey” is definitely a cultural struggle for me. Sure after 16 months I’ve learned to brush off the little things but every so often I do implement Operation Screen Togolese Calls to bring a bit of peace to my life.

No doubt this PC Togo experience halts any desire to own a pager in America. And I think I can live with that.

Until next time…J

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