Indonesian immigration officer: Your passport expires in less than six months. This is $$$ serious problem.
Me: My passport has more than six months validity, because one of the months is February and it's Leap Year. If you count each month as thirty days, my passport does not expire for 183 days and I will leave in two days. Here is my return ticket that shows I leave in two days.
Indonesian immigration officer: This is a $$$$ problem.
Me: If it is so serious, then I will return to Singapore when the flight departs in two hours.
Indonesian immigration officer: This is a $$$$$ problem. You must speak to the chief immigration office. (He disappears down a hallway and soon returns.)
Indonesian immigration officer: You must now speak to the chief immigration officer because this is such a serious problem.
Off we go to the chief immigration officer's office.
Chief immigration officer: This is a $$$$$$ problem. If you can not help us to resolve it, you must leave in two hour.
Me: (I explain how a calendar works, I show him the expiration date on my passport, which isn't for 183 days, and I show him my ticket to depart Indonesia in two days.)
Chief immigration officer: Because this is such a $$$$$$$ problem, I can only help you if you are willing to cooperate.
Me: Sir, a return flight to Singapore is only $$, so it is best if I return to Singapore to get my passport extended for another six months.
Chief immigration officer, upon realizing I was unwilling to solve my $$$$$$$ problem in a way that would allow him to buy a new large screen tv and provide a generous cut to the first immigration officer: My friend, this problem is a small thing for you if you cooperate.
Me: Sir, I fear the accounting staff back in America more than I fear this $$$$$$$ problem in Indonesia that cannot be resolved.
I thanked him for his kind interest in trying to help resolve such a serious problem, bid him farewell, and proceeded to the departure area. When I returned the next day, I made a point of joining the queue of the first immigration officer. Without looking at the expiration date, he stamped the entrance date stamp. In his eyes, I saw disappointment and squint lines from long hours of watching his 13" black and white tv.
Thank you. I never felt awful about it, though. I'm still in contact with one of the guys who lived in the house. He didn't have any negative or weird experiences the years he lived there. It's possible the pictures were a legit attempt, but it's difficult to believe due to the silence after leaving. Either way, life experience.
Indonesian immigration officer: Your passport expires in less than six months. This is $$$ serious problem.
Me: My passport has more than six months validity, because one of the months is February and it's Leap Year. If you count each month as thirty days, my passport does not expire for 183 days and I will leave in two days. Here is my return ticket that shows I leave in two days.
Indonesian immigration officer: This is a $$$$ problem.
Me: If it is so serious, then I will return to Singapore when the flight departs in two hours.
Indonesian immigration officer: This is a $$$$$ problem. You must speak to the chief immigration office. (He disappears down a hallway and soon returns.)
Indonesian immigration officer: You must now speak to the chief immigration officer because this is such a serious problem.
Off we go to the chief immigration officer's office.
Chief immigration officer: This is a $$$$$$ problem. If you can not help us to resolve it, you must leave in two hour.
Me: (I explain how a calendar works, I show him the expiration date on my passport, which isn't for 183 days, and I show him my ticket to depart Indonesia in two days.)
Chief immigration officer: Because this is such a $$$$$$$ problem, I can only help you if you are willing to cooperate.
Me: Sir, a return flight to Singapore is only $$, so it is best if I return to Singapore to get my passport extended for another six months.
Chief immigration officer, upon realizing I was unwilling to solve my $$$$$$$ problem in a way that would allow him to buy a new large screen tv and provide a generous cut to the first immigration officer: My friend, this problem is a small thing for you if you cooperate.
Me: Sir, I fear the accounting staff back in America more than I fear this $$$$$$$ problem in Indonesia that cannot be resolved.
I thanked him for his kind interest in trying to help resolve such a serious problem, bid him farewell, and proceeded to the departure area. When I returned the next day, I made a point of joining the queue of the first immigration officer. Without looking at the expiration date, he stamped the entrance date stamp. In his eyes, I saw disappointment and squint lines from long hours of watching his 13" black and white tv.
Ooof, so sorry about that awful experience in New York...
Thank you. I never felt awful about it, though. I'm still in contact with one of the guys who lived in the house. He didn't have any negative or weird experiences the years he lived there. It's possible the pictures were a legit attempt, but it's difficult to believe due to the silence after leaving. Either way, life experience.
And a "good" story to tell.