Over the last few years I have been maintaining a travelogue and a diary of some of my day-to-day human interactions (no, I do not have inhuman ones!). I often tell my family that I would be leaving behind a huge amount of intellectual property.
A visit to the parlour a few days back to have my hair trimmed, not surprisingly, lead to the usual comment on my skin being 'thin', delicate etc.; not sure if I am to blame or the baking!
My earlier responses to such a comment have ranged from "Oh, I just shed my skin" to "Yes, I am royalty" and have been effective in laying to rest the curiosity. This time around my response was, "Ofcourse! Were you expecting a buffalo?" That, sure enough, silenced her!
My earlier responses to such a comment have ranged from "Oh, I just shed my skin" to "Yes, I am royalty" and have been effective in laying to rest the curiosity. This time around my response was, "Ofcourse! Were you expecting a buffalo?" That, sure enough, silenced her!
Ever since I landed in ER a few years back, I have been donating blood as often as circumstances permit me to. Yesterday, I did so. I do make a big drama of the whole process - after all, blue blood isn't easy to come by! So, after I parted with some blood I was handed a coupon to have a snack at the cafeteria - the price of blue blood!
I went into the cafeteria and found a familiar face, probably 'familiar' since I had spent days in the hospital last year when my father was admitted for an extended period. The gentleman at the counter seemed to recognise me and was quite happy in greeting me; I guess, like him, I, too, have a not-so-easy-to-forget face!
I went into the cafeteria and found a familiar face, probably 'familiar' since I had spent days in the hospital last year when my father was admitted for an extended period. The gentleman at the counter seemed to recognise me and was quite happy in greeting me; I guess, like him, I, too, have a not-so-easy-to-forget face!
(the conversation that ensued was in Kannada, but I share a translation of the same)
He: Namaskara, Madam! Seeing you after a long time.
I (smiling/flattered): Is it that long? You've not moved at all!
He smiles and I continue: You shouldn't wish to see people often; you forget this is a hospital, not a hotel.
I hand him a coupon that entitled me to my reward in exchange for my pint of blood.
He: Tea or coffee, madam?
I: Milk! It hasn't been that long for me to have grown up!
We both laughed!
He: Namaskara, Madam! Seeing you after a long time.
I (smiling/flattered): Is it that long? You've not moved at all!
He smiles and I continue: You shouldn't wish to see people often; you forget this is a hospital, not a hotel.
I hand him a coupon that entitled me to my reward in exchange for my pint of blood.
He: Tea or coffee, madam?
I: Milk! It hasn't been that long for me to have grown up!
We both laughed!
Donating blood is an invaluable deed. Do!
Our peaceful neighbourhood was disturbed by a few attempted burglaries. I went to offer support to a neighbour as the incident in her house had shaken her and I advised her to inform the police.
The police arrived in a few minutes and after investigations here I informed them of the other house and they asked to be taken there.
The police arrived in a few minutes and after investigations here I informed them of the other house and they asked to be taken there.
(the conversation was in Kannada, this is a translation)
Cop: Do you have a vehicle?
I: No! But we (I was with a friend) can walk ahead and you can follow us in yours. (I realised even as I was speaking that I was being absolutely ludicrous in my suggestion. But sometimes the brain isn't fast enough in instructing the tongue!)
Cop: Come, Madam, sit in the car!
I: Wow, you ask me to sit in a police vehicle?
The cop, amused, holds the door open for me in absolutely gentlemanly fashion.
I slide in and continue talking.
Cop: What's your name?
I: Shobha Joshi.
My friend mentions hers.
I: Will you remember?
Cop: Yes, Madam! You are Joshi and she is xxxxx.
I: Not bad! But will you remember after a few days?
I: No! But we (I was with a friend) can walk ahead and you can follow us in yours. (I realised even as I was speaking that I was being absolutely ludicrous in my suggestion. But sometimes the brain isn't fast enough in instructing the tongue!)
Cop: Come, Madam, sit in the car!
I: Wow, you ask me to sit in a police vehicle?
The cop, amused, holds the door open for me in absolutely gentlemanly fashion.
I slide in and continue talking.
Cop: What's your name?
I: Shobha Joshi.
My friend mentions hers.
I: Will you remember?
Cop: Yes, Madam! You are Joshi and she is xxxxx.
I: Not bad! But will you remember after a few days?
Awesome police - efficient, supportive and very polite! But I don't want to have to see you after a few days to test your memory, sir!
Thank you, Bengaluru Police.
Thank you, Bengaluru Police.
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