by Allan J. Feifer, American Thinker:

Sometime in the late 70s or early 80s, I had the opportunity to work in Senegal for several months.  My very first experience in-country was that the rental vehicle wouldn’t start.  While the friendly and talkative mechanic repaired the jeep, he inquired if this was my first trip to Africa.  “No,” I replied.  “Ahhh!” he said, “then I don’t have to explain the meaning of ‘TIA’ to you.”