The Leaning Tower Of Dubai Sounds More Worrying

(I am originally from Italy and moved to Dubai around four years ago. I have an Italian credit card that I only use when travelling or if there is some kind of emergency. My local debit card got stolen, and until I have a new one, I need to get some cash from my credit card. The ATM tells me that the card has been blocked and I need to contact my bank. So I do. After going through all the verification, the call center agent asks me how he can help me and I explain the story.)

Me: “So, I would just need you to unblock my credit card, because there is no ‘suspicious activity.’ It was just me.”

Agent: “Unfortunately, once the card is blocked, I cannot unblock it. You will need to go to your bank and request a new one.”

Me: “But I can’t. I don’t live in Italy anymore.” *quickly thinking about the possibilities I have* “But it’s okay; I will send my mum to the bank.”

Agent: “All right, and just so it doesn’t happen anymore, is it all right if I update your address?”

Me: “That would be great. I live at [address], in Dubai.”

Agent: “I am sorry, where?”

Me: “In Dubai. UAE.”

Agent: “Could you spell that for me?”

Me: *dumbfounded* “Umm, that’s D-U-B-A-I.”

Agent: “What region is that in?”

Me: “It’s a city in the UAE.”

Agent: “Yes, but what region? Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna…?”

Me: “Never mind. I will ask my mother to do it at the bank. Thank you very much.”

(It was eventually changed, but I could just not wrap my head around how after the entire conversation I had and all the information he got on his screen, he still thought I was in Italy. And he had never heard of Dubai or the UAE.)

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