19 May 2006 14:58:59
Dealing a Blow to "Beepers": Communication In Congo is a Tricky Affair
When you go buy a phone, ascertain it carries the option of killing the “ring ring” without actually hanging up. Why? Because people call you to ask you for things, such as, let’s say, par hasard, money.
Despite all these precautions, there’s one option your phone will never deal with. That is “beeping”, the favorite method to establish contact with someone in DR Congo. It works like this: a person will call you and instantly hang up, so has to tell you: “I’m trying to reach you. Call me back because you have the money to do so, I don’t”. The trouble is, if you don’t call back, the motherf*cker will beep you three, four, five, six or even more times.
Beepers commonly beep from unknown phone numbers. So you don’t know the identity of your surprise caller. So, fine, I’ll call you back, since you’re insisting so much on getting in touch! But the line is busy. Why? Because he’s trying to beep you again! Shit, you just lost money trying to be nice guy. Lousy you.
But be aware, he’ll understand that you tried to reach him, so he’ll beep yet another time. So now you’re off to get vengeance, with a capital V. You put your thumb on your cell’s Answer button to counter surprise his last attempt. He calls back, but before he hangs up, you answer and shout; “NANI!?!?!?” (WHO!?!?!).
How is he gonna ask for money now?
Also, the verb "beeper" (to beep) can also mean to arouse erotic attention. If a girl shows her belly or wears transparent tops, she's in fact "beeping" you.
You'll often hear this analogy to cell phones as well: "What a long day, I'm low batt'".
same thing in kenya...but instead of beeping people, you "flash" them...which makes for some very funny misunderstandings sometimes...
Michel says:
You guys are so funny. Beeper or "Benga ngaï" phenomenon is a concept in Congo. You'll say really ?? I'll say yes. I came back in Canada and unfortunately a congolese woman got my cellphone number. I got a record of 37 missed call in 1 hour !!!!! She was beeping me to death. It's annoying for sure but that's the way congolese people live. Amazing isn'it ?? Remember, if you don't callback they start being mean at you !!
Rob says:
LOL...Yo Mofo, you probably one the annoying guys who's beeping the people all the time.
omega says:
Mofo,
why conveying so much hate? It's a point of view. anybody has one,isn't it?
I'm writting for nothing , this guys called Mofo doesn't leave his email adress.
he camed like an anonymous called. LOL
Kim!!Shit, you just lost popularity trying to be nice guy again :)
Best regards..
robert says:
I like your style of writting, this posting is very funny..... Robert, Z living in Dallas TX
Garci says:
Kim.. I agreee.. it becomes anoying! VERY. Once, I got bipped 35 times in 20 minutes. By the same guy!!! And he actually had money -or, better said, a company phone- . Yet, I was in a meeting and couldn't pick-up. But the guy kept calling. I actually added everyone to my phonebook, most of the time, to know who not to call back (especially commisionaires, when I was house-hunting).
Mofo, it's not a racist comment. The caller just happened to be congolese, but the reaction would be the same whoever called, congolese, french, belgian or wahtever. If someone rings you 10 times in a row, it WILL get to your nerves.
Cheers,
Diego
Lina says:
Hahaha! Looks like someone hasn't had his/her coffee yet...
elia * says:
it's interesting to note that hate mail is always anonymous...
kim says:
Hmmm... interesting point of view.
MOFO says:
The MOTHERF*CKER????
You are the Racist MoTherF*ucker!!! What are you doing in Congo anyway? Other than being on a picnic and tourism, and getting paid for it.
sally says: