wasta: is an Arabic word widely used in Jordan. It means connections or mediator. People you know who help you get things done (like processing documents) faster especially in government offices. Or people with influence to get you a job you might or might not deserve. And the best is when you find a wasta (somebody) to help you get you back your rights. One time I saw a sign saying “there is no wasta in Jordan” and I could not help it but to laugh and laugh and laugh. Come on!! I grew up with wasta. People even call it Vitamin C which means it’s so necessary for people to move; get things done.
A friend of mine (Matthew C.) one time he even preached a sermon titled “wasta” which I enjoyed so much. He talked about good wasta, like, the prophets of God who intervene so that God won’t destroy sinners and instaed give them a second chance.
In Jordan we have many kinds of wasta. I am here talking about the wastas which does not involve money and does not hurt somebody at the same time. When I go to an office where I have a relative he/she can not ignore me. Can not act as if he/she does not know me or hide from me. It’s aieb (shameful) for him to ignore me because I am considered his guest. I am in “his office”, in his work place. I am at his territory. Just as if I am visiting his house. He has no choice but to go the extra mile and help me even if this cost him his job. In the airport, in the ministry of interior, in the parliament, in ministry of education, in the police stations, in hospitals, in universities, in the intelligence...and i always get a free ride when the taxi or a bus driver is a relative.
One time I went to ministry of interior to process my wife’s papers. I knew that my relative Fu’ad works there. Since I do not like wasta I decided to fall in line and try to not show him my face. After 2 minutes he discovered me and asked me to come inside. Everybody knew that I had wasta that’s why I am now moving from the line into the area where it’s written “employees only.” I lost face because everybody is staring at me. No one said anything. Nobody protested, nobody argued. They understand that a relative should show favor to his relative, it’s the proper thing to do in the Jordanian culture. They put themselves in my relative’s shoe… I went inside and somebody brought me coffee and another entertained me while my relative moving from one office to another processing my application.
In the immigration: I took my Korean friends to renew their visas. The same thing happen just like what had happened in ministry of interior. My relative Tal’at welcomed me and asked me to come inside. The documents processed and the coffee served. He was so proud to introduce me to his coworkers. It’s a very strange feeling.
Today I went to renew my car license. I went to the line where I need to pay the tickets if i have any. Thank God I did not have any ticket for one whole year. I got 15% deduction on my car insurance. The girl on the counter asked me, "Are you Ahmad Qandah....?" Honestly, I got scared because I thought there must be something wrong and it must have something to do with the Intelligence that’s why somebody out of the blue integrating me when it’s only a renewal of car license. Then, she added, "Are you Um Omar brother?" and that’s when i was relieved. “yeeeees”, I replied. "I am Kholud’s sister," she clarified. Oh yes, how are you? Yes, Kholud’s sister. Then she invited me to come inside. Its ok, I said, do not bother yourself I will be ok I will just stay on the line, I insisted. "No, you will not leave before a cup of coffee," she said. In her office, I enjoyed getting to know her but I felt bad because she put a sign saying “the computer is not working.” so other people moved to a different line. I had the coffee and she processed the license. Then I paid and got my license and in less than 30 minutes I am out. But before I left she invited me to her house for a meal. I apologized because i need to go to work but promised that next time I will visit with my family. I do not know her personally but Kholud works for me. She definitely wants to do me a favor because I gave her sister a job.
That’s the culture here. Family comes first… also friends comes first.
Ahmad Q.
A friend of mine (Matthew C.) one time he even preached a sermon titled “wasta” which I enjoyed so much. He talked about good wasta, like, the prophets of God who intervene so that God won’t destroy sinners and instaed give them a second chance.
In Jordan we have many kinds of wasta. I am here talking about the wastas which does not involve money and does not hurt somebody at the same time. When I go to an office where I have a relative he/she can not ignore me. Can not act as if he/she does not know me or hide from me. It’s aieb (shameful) for him to ignore me because I am considered his guest. I am in “his office”, in his work place. I am at his territory. Just as if I am visiting his house. He has no choice but to go the extra mile and help me even if this cost him his job. In the airport, in the ministry of interior, in the parliament, in ministry of education, in the police stations, in hospitals, in universities, in the intelligence...and i always get a free ride when the taxi or a bus driver is a relative.
One time I went to ministry of interior to process my wife’s papers. I knew that my relative Fu’ad works there. Since I do not like wasta I decided to fall in line and try to not show him my face. After 2 minutes he discovered me and asked me to come inside. Everybody knew that I had wasta that’s why I am now moving from the line into the area where it’s written “employees only.” I lost face because everybody is staring at me. No one said anything. Nobody protested, nobody argued. They understand that a relative should show favor to his relative, it’s the proper thing to do in the Jordanian culture. They put themselves in my relative’s shoe… I went inside and somebody brought me coffee and another entertained me while my relative moving from one office to another processing my application.
In the immigration: I took my Korean friends to renew their visas. The same thing happen just like what had happened in ministry of interior. My relative Tal’at welcomed me and asked me to come inside. The documents processed and the coffee served. He was so proud to introduce me to his coworkers. It’s a very strange feeling.
Today I went to renew my car license. I went to the line where I need to pay the tickets if i have any. Thank God I did not have any ticket for one whole year. I got 15% deduction on my car insurance. The girl on the counter asked me, "Are you Ahmad Qandah....?" Honestly, I got scared because I thought there must be something wrong and it must have something to do with the Intelligence that’s why somebody out of the blue integrating me when it’s only a renewal of car license. Then, she added, "Are you Um Omar brother?" and that’s when i was relieved. “yeeeees”, I replied. "I am Kholud’s sister," she clarified. Oh yes, how are you? Yes, Kholud’s sister. Then she invited me to come inside. Its ok, I said, do not bother yourself I will be ok I will just stay on the line, I insisted. "No, you will not leave before a cup of coffee," she said. In her office, I enjoyed getting to know her but I felt bad because she put a sign saying “the computer is not working.” so other people moved to a different line. I had the coffee and she processed the license. Then I paid and got my license and in less than 30 minutes I am out. But before I left she invited me to her house for a meal. I apologized because i need to go to work but promised that next time I will visit with my family. I do not know her personally but Kholud works for me. She definitely wants to do me a favor because I gave her sister a job.
That’s the culture here. Family comes first… also friends comes first.
Ahmad Q.
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