Twisty travel tales
The latest in fleecing people of small change is observed in toll booths while driving down the highways.This trend is also seen amongst vegetable sellers,small shops; what we call kirana stores or our neighbourhood grocer's.
I am sure you know what I am talking of.
Yes, the 50 paise or 25 paise candy which is passed on to the customer in lieu of small change with a plea...."chutta nahi hai"
The height of this practice was when recently I was given a 5/ worth packet of haldiram namkeen at the toll booth! Duh! I was flabbergasted and in the process was speechless. What to do? Accept and drive on or throw it back on his face and face the ire of the other drivers lined up behind me and honking impatiently. Of course you know, it was this psychology the chap was playing upon......................which driver would pick up a fight for such a lowly item during peak hour traffic.
So on I drove, wondering what instructions the Road and Surface Transport Ministry or whoever that implements these toll taxes must be getting? Would my-friendly-neighbourhood-tollgate next supply me with samosas and kachoris and perhaps some sweets to go with them? The conversation would go something like this
Law Abiding Citizen(LAC)-65 ka ticket dena(giving a Rs 100 note), chutta nahi hai
Law Abiding Tollbooth Guy(LATG)- yeh lo, 65 ka ticket and 10 ka samosa, 20 ki kachori aur 5 ki tofee
LAC- eh heh....(gulp)..eh...eh...
LATG- sauce free hai............................enjoy
LAC(wobbling at the wheels)- yeh, yeh...samosa? kachori?
LATG- aage baro...can't you see green light is blinking?
LAC- par chutta.................?
LATG-poore ho gaye.
Period
I am seriously thinking of stocking up on some tiffin boxes to store these toffees,candies,some samosas(maybe),etc when next I approach the toll gate on any journey.Why spoil the fun........maybe I can buy some gulabjamuns to go with it down the road
The latest in fleecing people of small change is observed in toll booths while driving down the highways.This trend is also seen amongst vegetable sellers,small shops; what we call kirana stores or our neighbourhood grocer's.
I am sure you know what I am talking of.
Yes, the 50 paise or 25 paise candy which is passed on to the customer in lieu of small change with a plea...."chutta nahi hai"
The height of this practice was when recently I was given a 5/ worth packet of haldiram namkeen at the toll booth! Duh! I was flabbergasted and in the process was speechless. What to do? Accept and drive on or throw it back on his face and face the ire of the other drivers lined up behind me and honking impatiently. Of course you know, it was this psychology the chap was playing upon......................which driver would pick up a fight for such a lowly item during peak hour traffic.
So on I drove, wondering what instructions the Road and Surface Transport Ministry or whoever that implements these toll taxes must be getting? Would my-friendly-neighbourhood-tollgate next supply me with samosas and kachoris and perhaps some sweets to go with them? The conversation would go something like this
Law Abiding Citizen(LAC)-65 ka ticket dena(giving a Rs 100 note), chutta nahi hai
Law Abiding Tollbooth Guy(LATG)- yeh lo, 65 ka ticket and 10 ka samosa, 20 ki kachori aur 5 ki tofee
LAC- eh heh....(gulp)..eh...eh...
LATG- sauce free hai............................enjoy
LAC(wobbling at the wheels)- yeh, yeh...samosa? kachori?
LATG- aage baro...can't you see green light is blinking?
LAC- par chutta.................?
LATG-poore ho gaye.
Period
I am seriously thinking of stocking up on some tiffin boxes to store these toffees,candies,some samosas(maybe),etc when next I approach the toll gate on any journey.Why spoil the fun........maybe I can buy some gulabjamuns to go with it down the road
