10 Unusual excuses for missing work

We all have our personal lists - of the zaniest/quirkiest/
funniest/ craziest/smartest ... We devote this page to them.

This week, Pili Alfred Papando is a front desk receptionist for a Dubai-based software and HR practices company, lists ...

There was no water in my building: I couldn't come to the office without taking a shower.

Stuck in the elevator: The elevator in my building developed a fault and wouldn't open. The watchman was not around to get me out so I spent the whole morning going up and down the floors.

Poisoned by mother-in-law: My mother-in-law, who knows very well that I do not eat nuts, put peanut butter in the sauce. I had an allergic reaction - my eyes were swollen in the morning.

I broke my spectacles: I looked for old ones (since I changed them recently) but couldn't find them. I thought there was no point in coming to the office since I cannot work on the computer without my specs.

It's the dog's fault: A stray dog kept barking and baring its teeth menacingly at me each time I tried to go to my car from my apartment.

Locked in a restroom: I was in one of the cubicles and the cleaner must have thought there was no one so she locked the restroom and left. Help only arrived after four hours.

Couldn't retrieve my keys: The dog swallowed my car keys and I had to rush him to a vet. It took me some time to hitch a ride with my canine friend.

Confused: I thought we were also getting a three-day holiday like the public sector.

I broke up with my boyfriend: We've been dating for five years - the pain of losing him was unbearable. I just curled up in a ball and wept the whole day.

Delayed at the airport: I had to pick my great grandmother's neighbour's nephew from the airport. His flight was delayed and coupled with that we have never met. So you can imagine how long it took to spot him among throngs of people at the airport. By the time we finally saw each other it was already noon.