Dani's trip to the store

A new grocery store opened up about 4 blocks from our villa. It's small, but great for getting those quick things. Dani had to work a science project for school and needed corn starch. So I asked her if she wanted to go to the store and get some. She decided to take her scooter so that it would be faster. She walked into the store with scotter in hand and a store attendant told her "No scooter allowed." Dani explained that if she left it outside it might get stolen (probably wouldn't happen in Dubai, but still). So the guy said, "Ok, bring here, I watch it." Now of course think of Dani telling me this store in her very best Indian accent. She proceeds to walk in the store and the guy leaves the scooter. Dani says, "I thought you were going to watch it." "Ok, ok, I watch it."

Then little miss assertive asks another grocery store worker, "Where can I find corn starch." "Corn?" "No, corn starch." "Corn flour?" "No, corn starch." "We not sell." Then Dani remembers that I told her she could find it in the baking section. "Is there a baking section?" "Yes." "Where?" Pointing - "There." "Where there, can you show me." "Ok, I show you." "Ah, yes, corn starch we sell!"

So Dani takes the box up to the register. I have her 2 ten dirham bills. The cost was 2.25. She hands the man a 10. He says, "You now want 3 dirham?" Dani says, "Yes, I want my change." "You no want 3 dirham." "Dude, I want my change." "Ok, you buy something else?" "No give me my change."

I so cracked up when Dani told me this story. Just so that you know, coins are not rare here, but they are not used a lot. Giving you 1 dirham as change back is ok, but more than 2 they don't like to do. At a big store, not an issue, but at small stores, it's often a problem.