Dishonesty…the best policy?

My wife is not all happy with me. Every married man knows, that thats not a good place to be. What’s the reason you ask? Dishonesty. Yes, you heard right, DISHONESTY. Ironically, not my dishonesty but another mans! Ok I guess this is begging to sound like “Secreto de Amor” - for those who don’t watch Ugandan television, that’s a terrible south american telenovela.

The man in question, is a carpenter.

A little background. Two and half months ago, I commissioned the said carpenter to make my then fiance’s and my dream bed. He said it would take 3weeks. I liked his work, his smooth professional demeanor and nice office setup. Without hesitation, I gave him 50% down payment. The deal was set.

3weeks later, and 2weeks to my wedding, no bed. I’m not worried. The worst he could take is another few days, just on time to have it delivered so my new wife can find it after the wedding. Yeah right! Up until the wedding day i was calling him. He continued to speak smoothly and assure me how the polish needs time to dry properly and so it would be ready for delivery Saturday, the day after my wedding! Did I mention i had given him the balance of 50% just so i wouldn’t use the money on wedding stuff?  

Frustrated and besides being stressed out enough by the wedding itself, i let it be. I had my wedding and went for my honeymoon. I return at the end of the second month of his workmanship. Guess what, it’s still not ready! I don’t believe he’d done anything at all! When I asked to see my bed, he assured me how he doesn’t work like that and he will present me with a finished product. Somehow, I wasn’t convinced but yet the nice guy in me who believes people are generally honest, let him be. He gave another week deadline. Besides, the thought of abandoning the whole thing after all this time didn’t seem like a plan. It’s the third week now and all i have are pretty slick receipts.

After this all my wife decided to take over and follow up. I gave her all the info. She called the dude. She was warmly recieved with a healthy dose of arrogance, standoffishness and more dishonesty. She lost her marbles. She doesn’t want the bed anymore. *sigh*

Whats the moral of this story?

Is dishonesty the best policy in Uganda now? Why is it so easy for people to NOT keep their word and deliver a product? To lie with such finesse? Getting a product made or a service done in this country seems to be impossible without dealing with dishonest men, women and yes, even children. Carpenters, mechanics, employers, MP’s, Ministers, Pastors. Everyone is aware of the Temangalo/ NSSF saga. More dishonesty. Whether its 1000shs or 10billion, everywhere you turn lately you can’t escape this.

I am extremely concerned at this alarming trend. Greed and impatience seem to be the jet fuel that propels this unsavory character trait. Everyone is trying to make a quick buck with the least amount of time & effort and the easiest way to do this seems to be dishonesty. The average business person seems to have no regard for their reputation any more. Just fleecing their customers at every opportunity. Disgusting.

Can someone tell me, how are we-atleast those of us who pursue progress and integrity-supposed to get anything done when surrounded by a system of dishonesty? How do i get a simple bed without my wife feeling like we’re navigating the intricate lies, intrigue and reveals of a cheesy south american soap opera? 

I need to develop and sleep in peace.