Unfiltered Story #280297

(I used to work for a mobile phone company. Part of my job includes giving the prices for travel abroad. Sometimes, I make small talk about their plans.)

Customer: I’m going on holiday to Angola. How much will my phone calls cost out there?
Me: Angola? Sure. Outgoing calls are [price], Incoming calls are [price], and texts are [price]. I read recently that Angola has the highest cost of living in the world.
Customer: Yes, it’s extortionate. I used to live there when I worked in the oil industry. I had a basic, 3 bedroom apartment. How much do you think my employer paid in rent?
Me: I have no idea.
Customer: Eighteen thousand US dollars, every month, cash, two years in advance.
Me: Eighteen thous- you mean five digits?
Customer: Five digits. Every month. The corruption in government is so bad that if you want to get anything done, that is what you have to pay in bribes. A tomato is about forty bucks.
Me: Wow! I think we have it easy here.
Customer: We do. Be grateful.
(Indeed, I am.)