Money under the table and cutting corners is normal, no?
I can't remember whose post I read yesterday where the person wrote about how in a certain European country you could get almost everything done with some money under the table.
I found it interesting coz that's the regular way things happen here in Nigeria, yet this person wrote about it like it was a despicable act that couldn't be said to the hearing of many. That's cute honestly, I wish I could say the same thing.
Over here, it's almost despicable when you get things done without giving some money over the table. Notice how it's not even done under the table anymore?
I've found myself in situations where I had no idea I had to pay for a thing to be done and I was sent running around in circles for months until someone broke down the process for me and I "wet a few palms" to fix things.
The first time was about 4 years ago when I spent a lot of time running around my sister's university trying to help her get her graduate certificate and transcripts to run a program abroad.
Unlike modern universities where these things are done online, in most Nigerian federal and state universities you'd have to go through about 10 offices with rude clerks who barely speak proper English and will rightfully demand you pay them to do a job that they are being paid to do. It's the height of lousy.
I spent nearly 6 months getting her papers for her and nearly 5 times the amount of money necessary for the main document. And they were still rude.
At some point, I almost had to prostitute to get it. I had to be nice and smile at a man who just wanted to see me naked just so he could get me the papers. It was a terrible experience.
I don't know how money under the table works in other countries, but I sure as hell know it can't be half this bad.
I barely understand the motive behind this absurd money behaviour because these people, in the general idea of things, are poor. They have no money and live from hand to mouth. I'm referring to the clerical staff though, in other offices in Nigeria like the Financial Crime bodies, money under the table can run up to billions of dollars.
You might think while reading this that it only has to do with getting things done and avoiding jail term, but it involves some either petty things like fake medical results and the likes.
I had a conversation with a colleague yesterday concerning the Covid-19 vaccines. She has the intention of leaving the country soon and is bound to take the vaccines before leaving.
Based on the numerous controversies regarding the vaccines, she says she'd rather not take it and has intentions of paying for the vaccine card.
I understand she has her fears of Nigerian health care and doesn't trust what's given to her, but I told her it's a very risky move. I have an issue cutting corners because the thought of getting caught makes me anxious. It's not the Nigerian way. Everyone cuts corners here. It's the only way to survive.
How does 'money under the table' happen in your country? Is it as obvious as mine or I haven't seen anything yet?
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