The phone rang while I was in the shower. But that's normal the world over. Abnormality -- by conventional Western standards -- took a few more minutes to arrive.
My caller began by inquiring after the health of my family. This is customary in southern Africa, perhaps because so many people are sick.
Then he asked me to call him back because his cell phone was out of credit. This is also customary in southern Africa. Everybody has a cell phone if they can afford it, but no one has any credit when they phone you.