Some typical phrases and their translations for newbies coming to Oman:
"Come back tomorrow." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"This is the wrong document." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"Where is your PRO? He needs to be here. Please go and get him." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"Only five photos? We need six." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"Not this office. Go to the building on the other side of town." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"Sorry. We are closed." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"Ah…you are living in Mawaleh…you have to go to the local office." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"The system is down." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"Where is your company stamp?" - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"The supervisor has gone to Dubai." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"He's not answering his phone." - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
"Where is the other form?" - "I can't be bothered to deal with this today."
This is how life is over here…..roll with it and you will have a great time.
Respect your hosts, play by their rules and this is really a great place to live.
Kick up a fuss, scream and stamp your feet - and they, just like me, will get loads of mileage out of seeing how far they can push you before you vaporize in front of them.
It's all part of the territory - and if there comes a day when you really, really need help….they will be there for you. Guaranteed.