4 Strange Things You Will Encounter In Bangladesh

Hey!

By now you have realised that I'm finding Bangladesh so strange even though I'm only back after 2 years. So, from everything I am observing, these are 5 strange (as I feel) and random things you will encounter in Bangladesh!

1. Links/power/authority

Let me explain...

In Bangladesh, some stuff cannot be done the simple way. For example, some roads do not allow auto rikshaws and it is not humanly possible to walk in the roads of Bangladesh. What would you do? You take your parents (mainly your dad) and let you in the road. This is because my dad is probably friends with some high status people that the road guards are scared of. You want to get into the ferry first? You say you are friends with whoever with high status. If you have links, it is really easy to get work fast. The current thing that works now is by saying you are from Gopalgonj. Why? In my previous posts I may have explained that the current PM of Bangladesh is from Gopalgonj, so by being from where the PM is, it is a big thing in Bangladesh. 

2. Bargaining

Unless it is a shop that clearly says "FIXED PRICE" or it is a supermarket, you are free to bargain and in some instances mildly blackmail. You go to a shop and the salesmen will show you a huge range of their products. You pick one or two and then you ask for the price. He will tell you a price and you are bound to say it is too much. You say a price and he will tell you it is too cheap and a loss for their business. Then you say "you give it for this price or I'm leaving". He will either be nice to you and give it to you or he won't. Or you will both agree to a price that's in the mid range. Say if a fabric costs £18 and you say £15, you will probably come to an agreement of paying £16-£17. Some shop owners are so horrible they will not listen you and will overcharge and not reduce the price. Most of the time they have the good quality products and you have to go back to him. I don't bargain because my parents do it for me. I have done small bargains but the whole thing is a shameful act in my opinion.

3. Maids

Back in the days, they were nice and simple girls. Nowadays they are too advanced, probably have a cheap touchscreen phone that has Facebook in it and buy 100 MB for 44 pence just to get on "FB" (aka Facebook). They do help with household work and it makes bengali people's lives easier. But sometimes they do a bit of work and they overcharge. I heard in Dhaka, they charge £5 for one task. For example, making roti is £5, sweeping and moping the floor another £5, cooking another £5 and so on. But I think this is monthly. When I was young, they used to do so much work at my grans house, and now they do a bit of work and just run away, not to mention they don't come at all at the slightest rain. 

4. Transportation

Rule of thumb! Do not take the bus in Bangladesh!!! Don't ask me why but don't. The main thing is to get the auto rikshaws and the normal rikshaws. Normal ones are open air and fit 2 normal sized or 3 small people or 1 big person. Auto rikshaws fit 4-6 people and you can go "reserve" or in groups with random people going to the same place and that is generally cheaper than going reserve. Price of this varies upon your destination. Somewhere close like your local bazaar would be 20p and somewhere far like 20 minute ride would be 70p. All in cash of course. Bengali residents think it is expensive but I get why they say that. Salary in Bangladesh is really low.

Hope you enjoyed this post and make sure to check back every Wednesday and Saturday.

I feel like I should reduce to one blog a week. Since the past few weeks, I have had a feeling that my effort is being less appreciated and I may have become a "spam" around my social media. It may be just me but I felt like sharing it because we're friends. If I think or feel that my time and effort is being wasted, I will completely stop blogging. I love to blog and want to but not for the ghost, Please don't assume I am bashing, blackmailing or forcing you to read my content. this is just me sharing my thoughts. It is upto you what you want to read and what not. Let me know what you think about this...

Take Care,

Yours, Nafiza