First, there was a book that the census guy used to look up the correct codes for the various answers we might have given him. It was completely understandable to me when he had to look up the code for Danish and American when he asked our nationalities. What surprised me was when Ida confirmed that she was Kenyan he still had to look up the code for that!! I mean, most of the people he is surveying will be Kenyan so wouldn't he know that code by heart?!
Next, the census guy must have been given instructions to ask each question about every person in the household, which certainly makes sense for all the adults! But when he kept me asking me every question about Grace, it was all I could do not to start cracking jokes. And let me tell you, he took his job his very seriously and I do not imagine that we had the same sense of humor. But come on! After asking for her birth date (February 26, 2009) and her birth place (Nairobi), he asked me what date did Grace first enter the country. He also asked me what language does she speak (is there a code for speaking "baby"?) and what is the highest level of education she has obtained (ummm...she can sit up on her own...is that a level of education?). Even I could understand that Ida kept telling him in Swahili: she is just a baby!
Finally, I confirmed that my highest level of education is a Master's degree. Then he asked me what work I do currently. The conversation when something like this...
Me: I am currently unemployed.
Him: Well, when you did work what did you do?
Me: I was an educator.
Him: looks in his book for the right code.
Him: How many hours do you work every week?
Me: I am currently unemployed.
Him: But what kind of private work do you do? How many hours?
Me: None. I do not have a job except that I am a mother. I take care of my baby, all day everyday.
Him: now furiously flips through the book because he doesn't know how to code someone who has a master's degree but is unemployed; there was no code for "stay at home mom".
Ten hours later, I am still laughing about and pondering the whole thing. I intend to have a conversation about the experience with Ida this morning to find out if it was an interesting experience for her too or if it was just the norm.
Today has been declared a public holiday so that people will be home and the census can be properly conducted. The UN doesn't take the holiday so Kristoffer is already at work...bummer! Ida and Charles both opted to take a Friday off for a long weekend instead of getting today off. Christian arrived from Copenhagen safely and I will take him on a tour of the UN today.
LMW
1 comment:
Lol
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