Receiving promotional calls has become part of daily routine in my life. At times, it is maddening when the caller happens to be a telemarketing executive trying to sell product. There is no respite if you are an owner of cellular phone (or even any telephone) and you are alive. They start with, “Sir, can I take 2 minutes?” and these 2 minutes will be extended to multiple of 2 minutes, that too only if you commit the mistake of saying, “yes you can.”. In case you decline, the next question will be, “Sir, when can I call you?” escape is impossible. But as someone has said “Impossible is nothing”, thanks to my learned friend, who suggested me an easy way out. Just say, ”I stay in a village”, this will definitely put an end to this call and sequel of calls to follow. The only disclaimer that comes with the suggestion is, it may not work if you plan to stay alive for a century, because with the pace the villages are urbanized I do not think there will be any more rural area in India, devoid of concepts of credit cards, clubbing, insurance, etc.
Some days back, a lady tele-caller was trying to sell an add-on cellular phone connection. I said, “You have already called on one that I have, where is the need of another one?” pat came the reply “for your family, Sir”. I replied “my family does not stay in the city”, what surprised me was her next question, “do you stay alone sir?” I thought my innocence has landed me in an awkward position, before she could say anything else, as a measure of recovery, I quipped, “yup alone, but not ready for live-in”.
It is amusing to reverse the role, from prey to predator. The other day the executive on the other side was trying to sell personal loan and I almost choked him by saying I need 100 million dollars, after a pause he could only say, they cannot give in dollars (local currency is Rupee). I replied “Fine, convert it into Indian rupees and approve it as soon as possible, I am in desperate need of money”. After hearing this, I am sure, he must have experienced thumping of his heart against the chest wall and probably might have skipped beats as well. If this anxiety was not enough, the icing on the cake was in the offing, “I need the money intrest free” was the last thing he could take from me. For me, it was straight ace, game, set and match. I never heard from him again.
Not all days are same, you win some you lose some. I remember in one such call, this smart executive was successful in selling me accident policy. Hindsight, I feel he convinced me easily by saying, I can put the policy on test for 2 months and then decide, and for the first 2 months the charges will be nominal. Human psychology, test everything before buying. Dumb me, how on earth can I test an accident policy, that would mean I have to involve myself in accident. And I have to gaze the measure of dismemberment accurately so that it falls in the prescribed or described policy coverage. Even thinking of testing is life threatening, forget about putting it into place. Nevertheless, I continued the policy for a year before I decided to get a rid of it by replacing it with rider over a life insurance policy.
The other calls that I receive frequently is for buying club membership, the easy answer to avoid or decline such calls are by stating that I am going out of country on long term. The executive will not continue the conversation anymore, but if by chance, of inquisitiveness they ask “where?” I say “Afghanistan”. I can bet none of the reputed clubs have their branches in war toned country. The immediate requirement of this beautiful country is food, water and not place of amusement. Whenever I get such calls, I am reminded of an old mate, he was very excited to own a membership of one of the well known clubs in the city. For first couple of months he had lot of good things to share about the facilities and hip crowd (especially the fairer sex) of the club, later I observed the stories vanishing and also noticed dark circle around his eyes. I hope it is neither because of excessive club usage nor excessive membership fees (too expensive to handle). All of it came to an abrupt end when he finally decided to part away from the exclusive membership, except God he is the only one who knows why he called it off at the cost of the hip people of the club. I guess he also understood the importance of food and water before luxurious amusement.
Above all, I must confess, I am grateful to one such executive named Claimant, because he was the one who sold me the life insurance policy and I eventually started planning for my future by investing. Never before, I ever thought, I will need a life insurance policy in future, even though I read, Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper” quite a number of times. I felt this was the only time when both of us were winner and I was happy to be a victim of tele-call. Symbiotic association in true sense.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Blissful Sin
Last end of summer, I was on my first business trip to Boston. I had mixed experience from the visit and I also happen to learn things that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Porters, baggers, cabbies, television advertisements and so on, were subjects (or rather unusual sources) of my observation, all the inferences concluded as learning’s.
If I bring out a compilation, a couple of pages are bound to be dedicated for Lisa. I used to come across her very often, most of the days it was a chance meeting, albeit on different days but the time was precise, synonymous to “daily soaps”. She was little above 5’, bright complexion, thin, and green eyes, fairly attractive. A heartwarming greet from her in the morning was always a pleasant way to start the day.
She was one of those who can speak non-stop for eras, in a way it was good for me because I never got bored of the silence but of her blabber. One of the things that a person will like on first visit to US is the silence all around, but the same stillness, after sometime drive’s crazy, thanks to the noise that I am so accustomed to in my country. The clatter always gives me a feeling that I am alive and there are so many people around me.
Lisa is no different than any other lady nothing unique but still she was interesting, I remember, that day she seemed disturbed. To my “how are you?” she responded, “not so good, in fact the night too”. Apparently, she lost one of her classmates during the late night party. The initial investigation confirmed, cause of death as, fall from the terrace, she was over drunk. I could feel Lisa was unable to control her emotions while narrating the sequence of the tragedy, she was disturbed of the untimely death and also upset because of the growing menace of addiction, alcohol, drugs, in society. Her own sister was addicted and had to be admitted to rehab, Lisa alone took the initiative to place her in de-addiction center and she was finally cured. I was so absorbed in the conversation that I did not realize when the cab stopped near my office. Lisa pulled out an invoice, scribbled the amount with an unsteady hand and passed it to me.
In 36 days of stay and probably 8 meetings, I observed extreme emotions of Lisa. Believe me, everyday she had something to share. If anybody asks me, what was one of the things I enjoyed, meeting Lisa will be in the list. The other day, I asked about one of her colleague, Carlos. Audibly, he sounded sober, gentle, probably had a great attitude and was also blessed with energetic, animated voice. Audibly because I never met him, since he worked in the front office and used to double as call receiver. I can bet no one can forget his impressive voice, as if confidence and warmth oozes through the vocal chords. Lisa entirely agreed and also added that he was a caring and very helping boss, in the office. The conscious comment, “in the office”, sounded out of place, nevertheless I didn’t ask for any explanation. After few minutes I was made aware of the reason, she did not consider him as boss, and the reason she cited, “he went out with me number of times”. I thought, what a poor soul, he has committed a sin by going out, thus losing all the respect that he obtained from others in office except her, by virtue of his position. As usual I reached where I had to, the window to the wonderful and interesting world of Lisa closed for the day. Again, I noticed her unstable hand when she wrote the invoice. Last time it was probably because of tragedy but why again? Is it due to weakness or something else? Anyway, I picked the invoice and without caring much, bounced out of the cab.
In the middle of my stay, one day while commuting to office, from the rear seat I saw a queue of halted cars on the break down lane of the interstate highway and in the front, a police officer was talking to someone. I asked Lisa “what is going on?” she said, “it is an accident but wait…” we passed through the middle lane, “uh ah! The cars are not supposed to be driven on breakdown lane during this hour, so they will be penalized and will have to pay close to $100”. I said, “thank god, it is not an accident, and they are not penalized by paying their lives”. I am amazed Lisa did not miss the opportunity to find and share two more stories on the basis of this incidence. First was not so astonishing because it is common in western world and second was not of importance, when she was booked because of somebody else’s rash driving. She used to take pride whenever she saw officer’s on the road, no she was not an ex officer, but yes, her ex hubby was one in a good post. And I am sure she must have used the name whenever she faced any trouble. Tell me, how much does it matter even if she is no more with him, as long as purpose is solved and she has bailed out of the situation?
Separation did not mean she was alone, in the past another guy not only came into her life but also moved into her house and in her words, “he was very handsome, gentle, kind hearted and understanding”. But they could not stay together for long. Apparently, they also planned for a baby, but fate had something else in store, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. One day, he just left the house because he did not want her to suffer. Indeed, I too feel he is very understanding and courageous. When I get sick, I look for close ones and this person on the contrary, went away from those whom he considered to be close with. But the question is why on earth she allowed him to leave and where was he now? I decided not to ask the question, since it was very personal. The question haunted me till my last day in Boston.
The days passed by, then came 14th day of October and was time for me to fly back. I was all set for the return journey and was also very happy. I called the cab company to get me drop to Logan airport. En-route to airport I started a conversation with the cabbie whom I had never seen before. Mike only used to work on weekend for the company that was the reason I had never met him before. Keeping a sharp eye on the road, every few minutes Mike uttered, “See on your left” or “see on your right”, a self proclaimed guide was kind enough to show me places that were falling beside the road. I was not keen much on any earthly object at that point in time, still I kept responding casually with disinterest. A little while after, interrupting him I enquired, “Isn’t Carlos in office today?” He replied, “Do you know Carlos? No, he is on day off today.” Without a pause, he continued, “Carlos is a very good guy and helping too, while it is really great to know such a person, it is also very unfortunate that he is suffering from prostate cancer. You know good guys do not live longer.” I could not believe what I was hearing, I was at loss of words, it was awfully painful, I could not say anything except, “it is shocking. God, show your mercy.” The shock added to the prevailing silence. Neither of us spoke there after, till I reached airport. Mike wished me a safe return journey. I thanked him and with a heavy heart, quietly followed the path to the entrance.
If I bring out a compilation, a couple of pages are bound to be dedicated for Lisa. I used to come across her very often, most of the days it was a chance meeting, albeit on different days but the time was precise, synonymous to “daily soaps”. She was little above 5’, bright complexion, thin, and green eyes, fairly attractive. A heartwarming greet from her in the morning was always a pleasant way to start the day.
She was one of those who can speak non-stop for eras, in a way it was good for me because I never got bored of the silence but of her blabber. One of the things that a person will like on first visit to US is the silence all around, but the same stillness, after sometime drive’s crazy, thanks to the noise that I am so accustomed to in my country. The clatter always gives me a feeling that I am alive and there are so many people around me.
Lisa is no different than any other lady nothing unique but still she was interesting, I remember, that day she seemed disturbed. To my “how are you?” she responded, “not so good, in fact the night too”. Apparently, she lost one of her classmates during the late night party. The initial investigation confirmed, cause of death as, fall from the terrace, she was over drunk. I could feel Lisa was unable to control her emotions while narrating the sequence of the tragedy, she was disturbed of the untimely death and also upset because of the growing menace of addiction, alcohol, drugs, in society. Her own sister was addicted and had to be admitted to rehab, Lisa alone took the initiative to place her in de-addiction center and she was finally cured. I was so absorbed in the conversation that I did not realize when the cab stopped near my office. Lisa pulled out an invoice, scribbled the amount with an unsteady hand and passed it to me.
In 36 days of stay and probably 8 meetings, I observed extreme emotions of Lisa. Believe me, everyday she had something to share. If anybody asks me, what was one of the things I enjoyed, meeting Lisa will be in the list. The other day, I asked about one of her colleague, Carlos. Audibly, he sounded sober, gentle, probably had a great attitude and was also blessed with energetic, animated voice. Audibly because I never met him, since he worked in the front office and used to double as call receiver. I can bet no one can forget his impressive voice, as if confidence and warmth oozes through the vocal chords. Lisa entirely agreed and also added that he was a caring and very helping boss, in the office. The conscious comment, “in the office”, sounded out of place, nevertheless I didn’t ask for any explanation. After few minutes I was made aware of the reason, she did not consider him as boss, and the reason she cited, “he went out with me number of times”. I thought, what a poor soul, he has committed a sin by going out, thus losing all the respect that he obtained from others in office except her, by virtue of his position. As usual I reached where I had to, the window to the wonderful and interesting world of Lisa closed for the day. Again, I noticed her unstable hand when she wrote the invoice. Last time it was probably because of tragedy but why again? Is it due to weakness or something else? Anyway, I picked the invoice and without caring much, bounced out of the cab.
In the middle of my stay, one day while commuting to office, from the rear seat I saw a queue of halted cars on the break down lane of the interstate highway and in the front, a police officer was talking to someone. I asked Lisa “what is going on?” she said, “it is an accident but wait…” we passed through the middle lane, “uh ah! The cars are not supposed to be driven on breakdown lane during this hour, so they will be penalized and will have to pay close to $100”. I said, “thank god, it is not an accident, and they are not penalized by paying their lives”. I am amazed Lisa did not miss the opportunity to find and share two more stories on the basis of this incidence. First was not so astonishing because it is common in western world and second was not of importance, when she was booked because of somebody else’s rash driving. She used to take pride whenever she saw officer’s on the road, no she was not an ex officer, but yes, her ex hubby was one in a good post. And I am sure she must have used the name whenever she faced any trouble. Tell me, how much does it matter even if she is no more with him, as long as purpose is solved and she has bailed out of the situation?
Separation did not mean she was alone, in the past another guy not only came into her life but also moved into her house and in her words, “he was very handsome, gentle, kind hearted and understanding”. But they could not stay together for long. Apparently, they also planned for a baby, but fate had something else in store, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. One day, he just left the house because he did not want her to suffer. Indeed, I too feel he is very understanding and courageous. When I get sick, I look for close ones and this person on the contrary, went away from those whom he considered to be close with. But the question is why on earth she allowed him to leave and where was he now? I decided not to ask the question, since it was very personal. The question haunted me till my last day in Boston.
The days passed by, then came 14th day of October and was time for me to fly back. I was all set for the return journey and was also very happy. I called the cab company to get me drop to Logan airport. En-route to airport I started a conversation with the cabbie whom I had never seen before. Mike only used to work on weekend for the company that was the reason I had never met him before. Keeping a sharp eye on the road, every few minutes Mike uttered, “See on your left” or “see on your right”, a self proclaimed guide was kind enough to show me places that were falling beside the road. I was not keen much on any earthly object at that point in time, still I kept responding casually with disinterest. A little while after, interrupting him I enquired, “Isn’t Carlos in office today?” He replied, “Do you know Carlos? No, he is on day off today.” Without a pause, he continued, “Carlos is a very good guy and helping too, while it is really great to know such a person, it is also very unfortunate that he is suffering from prostate cancer. You know good guys do not live longer.” I could not believe what I was hearing, I was at loss of words, it was awfully painful, I could not say anything except, “it is shocking. God, show your mercy.” The shock added to the prevailing silence. Neither of us spoke there after, till I reached airport. Mike wished me a safe return journey. I thanked him and with a heavy heart, quietly followed the path to the entrance.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
