Expat Math

I walked into a hardware store a while back, needing a couple of items. I found what I was looking for, and it was clearly priced at thirteen rials. I confirmed this with the (Indian) clerk, then grabbed two and handed them to him. He said “Thirty rials”.

I said, “No, they’re priced at thirteen each.” He said “Yes, thirteen for one, but two for thirty”. I said “Thirteen and thirteen are twenty six, not thirty”. He said “Two for thirty”. I said “That’s not correct, what are you trying to do?” He said “Two for thirty”. I got out a piece of paper and added the figures for him…. thirteen plus thirteen equals twenty six. He said “Oh, I’m so sorry! I was wrong!”

Then he scribbles something on the piece of paper. “Twenty six and twenty six equal fifty two! Fifty two rials please!” He announces proudly.

Luckily I had exact change.