You are who you know.

This week I was introduced into the wonderous world of being defined by the people you know. Actually last week this was already pointed out to me, and this week it was confirmed.

In Egypt it really matters to a great degree on who you know in order to what you can get done. When you know somebody high up in the ranks of a business, you'll be certain to get that job you want. The higher up you know somebody, the better your chances. This can get to a degree that normal procedures and processes don't apply to you anymore. But there's a downside to this as well. In most cases people know that you know people and this is when they stop treating you as if you are the right person for the job. Once word gets around you know people, you can face an attitude of your co-workers oozing your incompetency. So although you got in easy, you're bound to be hard pressed to proof yourself.

And then there's the case where you need to get things done. The other day I had no internet connection because the bill wasn't paid. So my landlord and myself went to the provider to pay the bill. It was just after 9 PM and they were closing. People were standing in front of the office begging to do their bidding, but the guard was clear: Tomorrow another chance.
As it turns out, my landlord knows the CEO or GM of the provider and has his mobile number to proof it... very convenient, because although the bill couldn't be paid, they made sure to reconnect me and within minutes, literally, I had internet again.

Yup Egypt is all about who you know... knowing the people high up, means you get things done, your doors are opened, you're in.

Iwan