Experience: Drinking & Driving in a Muslim Country (First Post Ever)
drinking·@simplyeverything·
0.000 HBDExperience: Drinking & Driving in a Muslim Country (First Post Ever)
<html> <p><em>A long time ago</em> in the lay con days of 2010, I was based in a Muslim country where alcohol consumption among people of the faith was frowned upon, but everybody still did it. Well, not everybody. But quite a few. </p> <p>At this juncture in life, I was called by the manager of a bar in a small hotel by the city's creek. This hotel primarily subsisted on traders who would come in for 30 hours, sign a few deals, have a few whiskeys and then depart back to their destination of origin.</p> <p>The bar manager wanted to generate a buzz at his establishment, and it just so happened that I was busy promoting an entertainment product that involved people singing. He called me to offer the opportunity for my brand to set-up one of the machines and host a singing competition, where the winner would take home a machine. In my capacity as sponsor for the prize, I was asked to be part of the panel of judges who would allocate a score to each performance. We graded based upon singing quality as well as entertainment value or showmanship. </p> <p>Naturally, I was plied with whatever strong or weak beverages I liked. At this stage in my fledgling drinking career, I had discovered beer. So when the kind waitress walked over to ask the judges what they would like to drink, </p> <p>I said, "One Hoegaarden please."</p> <p>she replied, "I'm sorry, sir. We don't offer whores here. This isn't that kind of bar."</p> <p>Don't worry, reader. I'm only joking. </p> <p>Anyway, there were more participants than we had bargained for. I ended up sitting behind the table at that bar for no less than five hours. During this time, I ate a bit of salad and drank eight pints. A teetotaler friend who joined me at the bar noticed that I was slightly more inebriated than he had previously witnessed me being. He recommended I leave my car at the hotel and take a taxi home.</p> <p>I didn't feel like doing that, and so made a counter-proposal: How about, I'll order a cold can of coke, large bottle of water and pick up a pack of strong mint chewing gum from the nearby grocery store. After doing this, he agreed that I seemed to be "OK". I assured him that this was indeed the case, we parted ways and I took the elevator towards the top floor of the multistory car park where my vehicle awaited. </p> <p>After navigating through the parking lot, I turned right onto the street leading towards the main road, highway and eventually home. However, upon exiting, the beam of a flashlight caught my face. It was a policeman stood by his 4x4, which had hazards blinking. My pulse quickened in fear as the gentleman approached the driver's side of my Ford. I immediately began imaging the first words I would say in the telephone call I was allowed to make from the holding cell, where I would probably serve two weeks to a month. </p> <p>"Salamalaykum [Hello]," I said as I rolled down my window. </p> <p>He looked into my eyes. I should say at this point that I wore a black shirt, white tie and formal pants, with a blazer tossed across the passenger seat and a number of fliers scattered about the car. His first question was terrifying in its directness.</p> <p><strong>"You drink?"</strong> </p> <p>Within about 3 seconds, I calmly said, "No sir, I was actually working late at an event in the hotel over there." After he took one more look around the car and my face, he said, "OK. Go." </p> <p>I couldn't believe it. After saying thank you in Arabic, I rolled up the window and slowly accelerated towards the turning, and freedom. After taking the turn and checking my mirrors to ensure he wasn't pursuing, I floored it to the highway. My heart was racing and I couldn't believe how lucky I was, and stupid this police was. </p> <p>The End.</p> <p>- Thunker</p> <p>__________________________________________________________________________________</p> <p>Thank you for reading. I do not endorse drinking and driving and have since improved my behavior. Please think before you drink. </p> <p>This is my first post. We'll bring you more stories in a range of topics soon. </p> <p>Topics include: tech, history, reviews, substances and people. Maybe money too. Please follow and up vote if you enjoyed the read. </p> <p>Let us know what you think </p> <p><br></p> </html>
👍 simplyeverything, akshaybornare, jamhuery, soufianesgh, mywanderlust, machhour, pearica, somethingsubtle, edrivegom, doyanphotography, taraamin77, travel-cuisine, haydeart, iamshamroz, gauravchugh, rkrijgsman, inphiknit, akaninyene-etuk, ssekulji, lordtricky, khan101, gringalicious, coinyawong, travelingtaka,