Perspectives and perceptions

We step out of our homes (assuming you live in the suburbs) and you hail for an auto to take you to the station, to your work, to the doctor or to any place you want to go to. This comfort is almost always taken for granted until they go on a strike! Oft late, I seemed to have become the passenger who is a listener. For some reason, I still can't figure out what, the auto-drivers seem to find me approachable to talk to.. Conversations are on diverse topics, some initiated by me when it comes to literacy, reading, bank accounts, garbage disposal, etc. but most are by them regarding their work, their lifestyles, etc. Conversation 1 Route: Bandra Stn. to home We started talking about his family and the fact that his children are now studying. Suddenly, he spoke in English. Mind you, it was excellently spoken. I'm usually very critical when it comes to languages, and this guy passed the test with flying colours. His accent was neutral, language was almost fluent! I was thoroughly i...

There an equation of rains and Bombay that just strikes something in people's hearts I think... Yesterday, there was heavy rainfall in the evening and I was on my way to Mindspace, Malad (W) for an appointment WITHOUT my umbrella! Extremely stupid! :) I come out of station and I realise that I should've got my umbrella, having no option but to walk on I started walking towards some rickshaws. Obviously no one would go to where I wanted them to. Finally I approached a woman and asked her if I could share her umbrella! She put it over my head even before I could finish saying, "Excuse me... " She walked upto a bus stop with me and then she had to go her way. I managed to walk under the shade of some shop extensions till I decided that I had to buy a new umbrella. I approached the shopkeeper, but the cheapest umbrella he had was for Rs. 75/- Obviously I wasn't carrying enough spare cash! I asked him to give me one on rent for an hour. He refused. I explained my situa...

Has anybody been the new Pizza Hut (the one post renovation!!) If you have, I hope you have had a better experience than I did, (though I seriously doubt it!) The new decor, I don't know who the interior designer was, but he/she had no sense of foresight! The new seating arrangements are sparse and utterly uncomfortable. Previously the section in the middle had two tables which could be combined to seat a large group of people. Now there are low sofas in a L shape, with tables (like coffee tables) and pouffes on the other side. This sort of seating is expected at lounge bars or coffee shops, definitely not pizze eateries! We were a group of 7 people, waited for 15 mins for them to get the "table ready" In effect they didn't get anything ready, just placed table mats and plates. We were made to sit at a table meant for 5. We squeezed in somehow. In spite of regular requesting to shift us to a bigger and higher table, we were told that there is no space and that all tho...

Indian Weddings and ceremonies are known for their traditional and elongated processes.... and yet there are people (and families) who manage to combine ingenuity and tradition together! I'm going to be attending a wedding in Calcutta, and it's a wedding of my friend's brother. All of us were just watching the engagement video and then there is this ceremony when all the women of the house are supposed to perform an aarti of the bride-to-be and apply a small tikka on her forehead and feed her something sweet. Considering the number of women, the amount of sweet that she has to consume is huge! This family found a unique way, that was non-messy, already small in proportion and sweet, guess what?? GEMS! It may sound like that's silly and all, but I think it makes perfect sense! :) Reminds me of the changes that we all seem to be undergoing. Everywhere we see, brands are changing, CEAT, Vodafone, and so many other companies are hell-bent upon increasing their latest brand ...