Wasta

Wasta is an Arabic expression that loosely translates into 'who you know' or 'clout'. It refers to using one's influence or connections to get things done, such as quick renewal of a passport, waiving of traffic fines, and even garnering prestigious jobs. Wasta is deeply ingrained in Middle East culture, having been the de facto way of getting things done for decades.

This blip is dedicated to the Omani gentleman who is present at the college twice a day for the purposes of clocking in and out. Nobody knows who he is or what he is supposed to do, but it is widely accepted that he has lots of wasta. I thought about attempting to catch him in the act (of clocking in and leaving) but it would be a tricky one to explain if he turned out to be the brother of someone high up in the Ministry.

You gotta hand it to the Omanis. They can be lazy buggers, but at least they don't pretend otherwise.