i've experienced this quite a few times and it is starting to get on my nerves. why am i given a candy instead of my money?
ok let me explain. i was at this shop yesterday and what i bought cost Rs. 11.50. I gave the shop keeper Rs. 15 but took back the 5 and gave him Rs.12 instead, thinking that it would make his task easier giving me the change of 50p. he took my money and gave me a candy. I looked at him and he did not respond. he was already looking a prescription he had in hand.
i realised that he had given me the mittai instead of the 50p he was supposed to give me. I have experienced this before and now have a box full of mentos, eclairs, orange mittai etc., at home, given to me in lieu of the money that i was supposed to get. how many more will i collect? i decided i would fight for my rights.
with a mocking smile i asked him "ambadhu kaasu illaya? (dont you have 50p?)" he looked at me as if he was seeing me for the first time. i repeated my question. He gave a confused look and said "No".
"irukanu paathengala?" (did you even see if you have or not?)
another incredulous look and he turned to his partner and told with a smile "ivangaluku ambadhu kaasu venumam." (this woman wants her 50p)
the other guy turned to me and said "but we always give a candy only instead of 50p". always? and they actually tell that without guilt?
fighting to keep my voice normal i said "you still haven't checked if you have it or not."
He went to the counter, looked through for about 15secs and said 'ille ma"
i started to say something when the first guy again with a sarcastic smile said"if you do not want this candy, take something else. it is only 50p"
how? how can one talk to somebody like him? i just told them that it was not about the candy but about the fact that i am being forced to take what i do not want. i said that to two people with sarcastic smile on their face looking at the next customer.
Why was that 50p looked down upon as a paltry sum and why was i sneered at for wanting that paltry sum not accepting what was being forced onto me?
who s fault is this? mine for demanding what i want? the shopkeepers for not having the change? the governments for not making 50p coins as many as is supposed to be made?
10 comments:
What's this post all about?
Just a post or two back you were talking about understanding the purpose of life and questioning the inner demons at one time and then get upset with yourself for asking for the change, the shopkeeper for not giving you the change and the government for not making enough 50p coins:)
There are bigger things to ponder over:)
@arvind:
there are bigger things to ponder yes but the smaller things still affect:)
As long as these smaller things continue to affect you then I guess the bigger things need to wait, before you actually end up understanding those:)
But like I always say.. there is all the time in the world.
@arvind:
:)definitely. I realise that i have a looooooooooogggggg way to go..
I've had candies thrust in my hands many a time, they work as defacto change it appears.
Unfortunately, Deepa, unlike Arvind gaaru, I don't think there is all the time in the world and it is precisely because we don't think about these things that India is both as frustrating and as amazing as it can be sometimes.
PS to Arvind: The smaller things are the route to the bigger things. When one does not have the ethics to give someone back a 50p coin or a reasonable answer, then one cannot find God/ meaning/purpose, etc, etc.
@ Ranj:
When people still are sucked into the material aspects of life and an explanation to more materialism (ethics according to you) then where is the clarity of thought to find God/ Purpose/ meaning or any of those simple yet complex things?:)
I don't think escapism necessarily constitutes finding meaning. We live in the world, in our own specific social systems and whatever we do for others and ourselves becomes another step towards the simple and the great. There is nothing demeaning or material about living in the world and thinking beyond it.
I think there are enough characters like Sujatha's father in Aval Oru...who go looking for an escape from reality. We have to do our bit and if that little bit is to question what's happening around us, so be it.
Someone I know, and he's fairly old, says he turns his mind to God all the time but walks on the streets of Madras and pays alms to beggars nevertheless. He's 74 and one of the most self-realized people I know.
Ranj
@ranj:
i agree that small things do need to be taken into account. but i also agree that 'emotion' is a hinderance to the higher goal.
@arvind and ranj:
i think the higher can be attained by doing our duty without attachment. lamenting about the state of affairs now may make the goal seem hazy but at the same time, questioning the state of affairs and doing what i can do to influence it is my duty. neither feeling bad about what is happening nor being proud that i have influenced it will take me anywhere
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