I met a traveller from an antique land… In Egypt, IBM, despite no visible presence, is regarded as the eminence bleue behind the economy, and the favourite joke is that IBM stands for the three expressions that sum up the national ethos, which leaves Spain’s manana trailing in its wake as the epitome of bustling activity and efficiency by comparison: I is for Insh’Allah, B is for Bukra and M is for Malaysh – literally God willing, tomorrow and never mind, in reality, God knows, you should be so lucky, and your problems are no concern of mine.
