Money in Malta

       Money Talks in Malta...

       What it Says about the Maltese

Two interesting financial transactions occurred last week on the same day.   In the morning, I went to buy some bread from a small convenience shop--one I had never been to before. The bread cost 60 cents.  I gave the woman at the counter 70 cents.  Because I had asked her where the bread was, she knew I was a foreigner.

After I paid her, I waited for my change of 10 cents.  She merely said thank you to me--and went on the help the next customer.  I just stood there--waiting for my 10 cents which I had a right to expect and receive.  Again, she said thank you and tried to tend to her next customer.  Again I stood there, waiting.

Finally, she realized that I wasn't as stupid as I looked or sounded, I guess.  Then came the apologies and the ten cents change.  I've heard other foreigners, tourists and students complain of the same type of thing--especially regarding the Maltese bus drivers.

That evening I went into a pharmacy near my house to buy some expensive medicine I take. It cost 35 Euros.  I handed the pharmacist my debit card.  That's the only card I can't take, he said.  I was a little thrown back, so I said I would run over to the bank.

Never mind, he said. Here. take the medicine and pay me another time.  Are you sure, I asked him?  Of course, of course, he said. Can you imagine CVS in America telling you to take the meds and come back later with the money?

Naturally, I sprinted over the bank machine, got out the 35 Euros and ran back to the pharmacy to pay the man.

Now what does the bottom line say about the Maltese?  Some will try to cheat you for pennies if they think they can get away wit it.  But it's the big things in life that count--like medicine--where they are willing to let a stranger walk off with the goods because they have an honest foreign face.

So what's your take on this?  Maltese commentators?  Anyone?

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi P--thanks for your insight.  I think I like the pharmacist better...Ilene

[P Galea]

My impression is that the bread woman figured she needed the 10c more than the purchaser, who wouldn't miss it anyway, and she counted on her feeling too guilty to ask for it.

The pharmacy worker wanted to help someone in need, a common Maltese trait.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Becky--thanks for your comment. I guess foreigners get ripped off
wherever they go--but not for long!--Ilene

On Fri, Sep 18, 2009 at 10:22 PM, wrote:

[Becky]

Great story...Maltese sounds very interesting. I had a similar money exchange experience while riding the buses in London, England. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

I don't know, Mary. Your guess is as good as mine...Ilene

[Mary Bartolotta]

What's with Alexandra? A chip on her shoulder? A defensive Maltese or what?

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Very good point, Dee. Thanks--Ilene

[Dee Owen]

Thats a great experience from one extreme to the other...and too true, never rely on statistics. I think personal experience is always the best.

[Alexandra Claes]

"Don't shit in your pants because everyone will smell it".......enough said.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Edward, Joe, Stella and Alexandra--thanks for all your comments. All your insights are very helpful, especially the one reminding us that, yes, the US is a violent nation with guns. And you're right, Joe and Stella, the pharmacy story is not an isolated one. Something similar happened with the owner of a plant store who delivered some plants; it came out to more than I thought and she told me to pay her the 5 Euros another time. Of course, as soon as she left, I ran out and got the 5 Euros and brought it to her shop.

Here's another question: How do people who do kind things like that know who to trust?

[Alexandra Claes]

Well at least they don't hold a gun to your head and kill you for less than 10c!?

Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones......

[Stella]

the 10c story is an isolated episode, whilst you continue your permanent stay here you'll notice that there are more ppl like the pharmacist rather than the bread woman. yet a country cannot be judged by statistics let alone by few individuals :) keep on writing x

[Joe Arevalo]

The pharmacy story is really sweet and pure. I am happy to hear we aren't all hardened yet. As for the 10c, well, she's wrong, nothing right about it, but who knows how badly she needs it. It all sounds very Maltese to me.

[Edward]

My take on this is that it’s useless to try and generalize. Everyone has a different character. The bread person wasn’t nice whereas the pharmacist was nice. That’s about it.

If one wanted to examine the encounters closely, there are many factors that could have affected the different behaviors. Maybe the bread-woman is the owner, whereas the pharmacist is an employee. Maybe it’s because you’re a woman and the bread-person is a woman and the pharmacist is a man. Who knows?

But just don’t think the 10c thing happened to you because you’re not Maltese. It happens to everyone.

The important thing is that you stood your ground and waited for the change. I always check my change, and will stand until I get the last cent that is mine. If after a few seconds they pretend not to understand what I am waiting for, I will state it explicitly, and aloud, so that all the people in the shop will know.

Someone who automatically takes a tip doesn’t deserve it. If 10c were really worth “nothing”, then how is it that nobody ever happens to give you 10c *more*?