Sunday 9 January 2011

What's in a Name?

I had this wonderful experience that I'd like to share with you all.  My laptop wasn't booting up (partly reason for my lack of updates on the blog) so I decided to take it to the Apple store at Yorkdale (a popular mall here in Toronto) to see if they could sort out whatever the problem was.  The store was packed and I had a number of errands to run on this particular day, so I was determined to have my issue sorted out as soon as possible.  Accompanying me was my brother in law who is staying with us for the winter, so as soon as we step into the store, I look for an assistant who is available and see this lovely looking lady who seemed like she was looking for someone to assist.  So I quickly rush up to her with a look of urgency on my face, "Hi how can I help you" she asks, "Hi, I'm having issues with my laptop and was wondering if I could see someone at the Genius Bar for assistance" I said.  All the time observing her as she held an Ipad close to her chest, thinking wow, i want an Ipad.  "Oh sure, I can arrange that for you, have you been to out Genius Bar before?" " No ...."OK, I'll just need a few details before I can book you in, what's your name?"....Rama "and your last name"....Ponda, that's P.O.N..."Ponda!! she exclaims with an inquisitive look on her face, "where are you guys from?" she asks, we're from Tanzania..."jamani msiniambie nyie wenzangu" she said with a wonderful smile on her face, the look of someone who was genuinely happy to see people from her home country Tanzania. In the meantime I'm thinking...wow, what are the chances of that happening, I mean the store had about 20 assistants on the shop floor at that moment, and I choose the only one from Tanzania!!