Skip to main content

Did you find eveything alright?

Now I know I am being literal here but c'mon! I get asked this question in the spirit of casual engagement from the grocery store clerk, to the lady helping pick up at the GAP - after errant kids drop all the clothing in the wrong aisles at the retailer (where we are shopping for new school clothing for the kid), to the waitstaff serving me my well done burger (safest bet involving burning the meat till the chef gets bored of looking at it on the grill - avoids the medium rare debate). Did I find everything alright? Lets look at the question in pieces. There seems to be an underlying assumption in all scenarios that I was out to FIND something. In most cases that is untrue since I am merely there to while away my time so finding something is not top of mind. As an example while trotting down a Costco aisle the emphasis is on a walk and some random candy pieces that are being offered as a tease. I was not out to find those but they happened to be there. Same with that burger - how screwed up can a well done burger be - nothing to discover there is there? Then comes the most loaded one- EVERYTHING. I would assume that this noun would be directly proportional to the intellectual capacity of the asker rather than the askee? In most cases it stretches to the waist size of the jeans in that department and nothing beyond that. Lets not go wondering about the name of the robot that landed on MARS for example. But you get the point. Then that last bit about ALRIGHT? Now what is the scope of this word? There are situations outside the GAP that definitely need looking into like - 1. People are dying from bullets in Syria for no reason other than the fact they were born there 2. People are dying of malnutrition in parts of Africa where they have no food 3. Apple fanatics are tired of waiting for their new iphone 4. Many in India and parts of the impoverished world are still looking for a clean toilet and drinking water not necessarily in that order So literally, no I did not find everything alright with the town, the country, the world or intergalactic order. As to whether my meal was properly cooked...that depends on whether the pant that the GAP sold me is too tight and causing the tummy ache or the meat (which I did not think could be bad after being well - done).

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

On the go(zay masta) in Japan again

Cool cat the Japanese are Tokyo at dusk  My second visit to this land of the rising sun after almost a decade. Back then clearly I was wet behind the ears product manager and likely didn’t pay attention to all (efficient) things Japanese. But today I did and of course continue to be impressed. It is as much the obvious stuff like on time travel that is both clean and comfortable and all that which makes it possible. The impressive landmark and landscapes that these humans have put together despite their cramped (or because of it) surroundings and precarious geological conditions could amaze a novice architect among us. But it’s also the little things that someone had to think about which have a phenomenal impact on day to day lives that make the Japanese stand apart. Below are few random examples- 1. Providing a very fine machined wooden toothpick in every packet of wooden chopsticks. The said chapsticks are simply set on the To Go counter of any food vendor/ convenience store wher...

Presumptive Society

Today's world is hyper connected.  I am not so sure what it means but you hear it a lot.  It is probably hyper but not sure how connected it is.  Sugar (fermented or not) is available in many ways than before and so getting hyper is easy.  It is probably more a threat than cocaine since it is sold legally. And what is this connected stuff?  Most people I encounter seem disconnected from reality.  So going back to this assumption that we are connected there are subtle and no so subtle instances of how brands and companies and middle men try to portray someone - A linkedin profile for somebody working for X years at a place advertises to the connected network that so and so is CELEBRATING X years @ Such and Such Inc. Do we know if (s)he is celebrating or cringing?  Perhaps a better way to portray will be - So and So LASTED X years @ such & such inc. Then it exhorts the readership to go ahead and congratulate them for this lasting effe...

The Central State aka MP

Narmada river and site of Omkareshwar Indore Rajwada or palace of the Lady Holkar   Somewhat geographically centered in India is the hot landscape of MADHYA PRADESH. A region I had a faint memory of visiting as a young lad eons ago. Now in my (along with my best half) quest to get to know lands far and wide I got an opportunity to visit Indore city and surrounding areas in MP. It begins with an evening visit to a bustling old market selling native snacks both savory and sweet. It is the realm of jewelers who run night time street side restaurants once they close their primary operations at dusk. Think of it as desi style block party that I am told goes into wee hours of the morning. My impression was it is worth one visit.  The humid and hot ambience along with crush of humanity doesn’t make for a pleasant dining experience but the sheer variety of foods sort of makes up for it. From piping hot coconut filled fritters to oodles of milk based sweet confections, I gorged on item...