Unwanted Behaviour Of A Cashier

During a recent visit to the Nepal Tourism Board Office, I experienced humiliation that no tourist ought to have endured. I am in Nepal with the intention to volunteer with a Nepali NGO, and as I was waiting for an assignment, I needed to extend my visa. So, I visited the visa section of the Nepal Tourism Board. Although my application for a visa extension was approved without a hitch, there was an uncomfortable snag at the cashier’s counter.

As I had to pay 50 US dollars for the visa renewal, I gave 4000 Nepali rupees to the cashier. She gave me a receipt, leaned back in her chair and yawned. The receipt said that 373250 rupees had been paid, but I had not received the change. When I asked her about it, she stared at me blankly without moving from her chair. When I repeated that I needed the amount, she gave me only 200 rupees as if change is routinely negotiated in Nepal. She sat on her chair and pretended like the deal was complete. I again asked for the entire amount, and she pretended there was no change in the cash box and she gave me only 17 rupees. When I told her that what happened between us was not good. She yelled that it was necessary but I disagree. A tourist should not be treated like that.

This was neither fun nor exciting for me, and I wondered that this power play is typical behaviour of a government employee. However, none of my Nepali friends believed me when I told them this story. One told me to go back to the office and talk to a senior employee. So I informed the immigration official about what took place at the cashier counter, and he said that the cashier’s behaviour does not reflect the Nepal Tourism Board or the people of Nepal.

Kristofer J. Olsen
United States
(Presently in Kathmandu)