Playing With Questions

Sometimes I think people ask too many questions. A good rule is: never ask too many questions. I learned this after I once asked a very old woman: “How are your children?” I was embarrassed to learn she had never been married. After that, I try never to ask questions which are not related to me.

This leads me to tell you, dear reader, about a recent event. When I am done, tell me: who is smarter, men or women?

Yesterday I began a new job. The president gave me a warm welcome and after that, I met my office. It is a very nice office.

One of my friends works at the same company, so during my break, I went to her office. Since her office has its own private toilet, I decided to make use of the facilities and freshen up. While washing my hands, I thought I heard my friend’s voice calling my name and, without thinking, I opened the door.

Much to my embarrassment, I saw she was talking to a male colleague. From the look on his face, the conversation seemed to have a tone of urgency. This gentleman turned and stared at me as if it was my first time in a modern toilet. I realized how impolite I must have looked. But despite my embarrassment, my friend and I laughed and laughed after he left.

My break was over, and just as I was about to leave, another man entered the office, stared blankly at me, and then commanded me to “come to my office and fill in the form.” This man then exited as quickly as he had come in. I do not even think he heard me say: “Okay, sir, I will come.”

Unfortunately, when I left my friend’s office, I neglected to ask for directions to the office where I was supposed to fill out the form. I ended up in the kitchen. After what seemed like an hour and a half, I made my way back to my friend’s office to get the proper directions. Moments later, another gentleman appeared and asked: “Who is Roya?”

“It is me,” I said.

“Come to the office of Mr. W. He wants to meet you.”

Again I left my friend’s office, thinking “what will happen next?”

The new gentleman helped me to find the office of Mr. W. It was a neat, clean office. There were some files on a table, a computer, extra chairs and pictures on the wall. As I entered the office, Mr. W was looking at the pictures and talking to them angrily. He was so angry he didn’t invite me to sit, but I sat on the chair not far from where he was standing.

Mr. W said: “You should follow the rules. I am the boss here. Fill out this form; it is in English and Farsi.” I said okay.

After I finished, he asked me the following questions:

How old are you?

Twenty-three.

Oh you are so old! Are you going to the university?

Yes, it is my last year.

What did you do before?

I worked.

How much did you earn?

$900.

With whom were you working?

President Karzai (I joked.)

Are you graduated from high school?

Yes sir, I am at the university, and it is not possible to be at the university without graduating from high school!

Is this your phone number?

Yes, sir. (But I thought to myself: it is not my boyfriend’s number, sir!)

What does your father do?

He died.

Are you single?

Yes.

How many family members do you have?

Three.

Why you are so small a family?

I will ask my father to make us more!

That is a good idea! What is your job here?

I don’t know.

How much salary do you want from us?

Just the money to buy ink for my shoes!

You are very smart.

Thank you.

By Roya