My wife, Varsha, gets peeved whenever the attendant at the cash counter offers toffees instead of change. She refuses to accept the toffee-currency and has even offered to pay them back in toffees. But Nana Patekar in the forthcoming release Tum Milo To Sahi does better, he offers a sandal.
I strongly support my wife (and Nana Patekar) in her endeavour against this illegal tender. The reasons:
- Neither the Parliament of India nor the Reserve Bank of India have designated toffees (of any denomination) as legal tender, therefore we are not legally bound to accept it and it is within our rights to reject any such form of pseudo-currency.
- The cost price of the toffee for the retailer is lesser than the MRP. Therefore, it means that everytime a shopkeeper hands us a Re 1 toffee, he stands to make a profit of around 20 paise (or whatever the margin is). Therefore it is in their interest to insist on toffees instead of change.
- For those who don't have much of a liking for toffees (or the brand of toffees that they offer) it is a lose-lose scenario.
- It is quite unlikely that the supermarket/shop would accept a payment made in toffees (or a sandal in Nana's case). If no take, then why give?
I agree that could be a genuine shortage of coins in the market, given that so many of them end up stored for years in piggy banks.
Well, here is a business idea, for anyone interested:
A virtual piggy bank. You go to a supermarket make purchases for Rs 99 and pay Rs 100 in cash. As usual, no change. But you don't have to settle for that unwanted toffee. Just take out your virtual piggy bank card and the attendant will swipe it to add the Re 1 to your virtual piggy bank account. So every time there's a shortage of change, the money gets added to your account. And one day when you have accumulated enough balance on your card you can redeem it.
If this doesn't sound very feasible, here's a simpler way out: Use your credit/debit card. But don't take that toffee (unless you want to).
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Google Chrome's IPL / Twenty20 Cricket Ad
With the IPL broadcasting (deferred) live on YouTube, the Twenty20 bug also seem to have bitten Google Chrome.
Came across this online ad for Google Chrome:
Fast cricket
in a fast browser.
Get Chrome
by Google
Came across this online ad for Google Chrome:
Fast cricket
in a fast browser.
Get Chrome
by Google
Monday, March 22, 2010
Why I hate the new Tata Sky Plus (Elevator) Ad
I stay on the 12th floor of a 14-storey apartment building. This morning I had to rush to work and was waiting for the elevator and it stopped at every floor before it could reach mine.
No, as in the new Tata Sky Plus (Tata Sky+) ad my wife isn't to blame. In fact I made a premptive purchase of a Tata Sky Plus DVR just before I got married.
And this has been happening quite frequently ever since the ad in question (see below) began airing on TV. I suspect that is either disgruntled women (the IPL season is on) or inspired kids (more likely) pressing all the buttons. Whatever the reason, it's me doing the waiting.
The guys at O&M should think of the consequences when they come up with ideas that give people ideas (they also have wives at home, unless they already have a Tata Sky Plus or multiple TVs)
Tata Sky Plus - Cold War (Elevator / Lift)
My woes apart, the ads are fun. Here a couple more from the Tata Sky Plus 'Cold War' series:
Tata Sky Plus - Cold War (Burnt Toast)
Tata Sky Plus - Cold War (Mixie)
No, as in the new Tata Sky Plus (Tata Sky+) ad my wife isn't to blame. In fact I made a premptive purchase of a Tata Sky Plus DVR just before I got married.
And this has been happening quite frequently ever since the ad in question (see below) began airing on TV. I suspect that is either disgruntled women (the IPL season is on) or inspired kids (more likely) pressing all the buttons. Whatever the reason, it's me doing the waiting.
The guys at O&M should think of the consequences when they come up with ideas that give people ideas (they also have wives at home, unless they already have a Tata Sky Plus or multiple TVs)
Tata Sky Plus - Cold War (Elevator / Lift)
My woes apart, the ads are fun. Here a couple more from the Tata Sky Plus 'Cold War' series:
Tata Sky Plus - Cold War (Burnt Toast)
Tata Sky Plus - Cold War (Mixie)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Chaiwallah's got a Chaiwali
It has been the longest pause on Cutting the Chai since I first began blogging almost five years back. In fact if you look at the archives, February 2010 will be the only month that has gone postless since May 2005. And there were some pretty important reasons behind my absence here (though I had been tweeting a little). I got married.
Yes, the Chaiwallah has finally got a Chaiwali (though she prefers that, at home, I make the tea).
Its been a crazy last few months, juggling between work and arrangements for the wedding, now we are somewhat settling in into the new scheme of things. After a small ceremony here in Delhi (actually Noida) we went to Shillong (my home town) and then back to Delhi and then to Indore (her home town) and didn't even have enough leaves left to plan a honeymoon (I'll have to pay for that).
The wedding went off fine and with family and friends around, it was the best time of our lives (yet). Only I goofed up missing out on inviting some friends (my mother ensured that all relatives were). Apologies buddies.
To make things simpler we opted for a marriage according to Arya Samaj rituals but that didn't spare me the ignominy (that Bengali bridegrooms have to suffer) of wearing the tupur, courtesy my sis-in-law (No, I'm not going to post those pictures, atleast not here).
I was also live tweeting from my marriage ceremony. Here's what my Twitter feed read that night:
Me with the generation next:
The Chaiwallah with the Chaiwali at Shillong View Point, close to Shillong Peak - the highest point in Meghalaya.
Chaiwallahs can be warriors to. In a traditional Khasi attire (they gave me a wodden sword, so that I don't cause too much damage in my excitement).
But being married shouldn't change my blogging habits (atleast I would like to think so).
On a personal end life's changed and now expecting that to happen in the professional sphere too. Will keep posted.
The title of the post is inspired from a congratulations tweet from Dhiraj Ramakrishnan (@stupendousman78)
Yes, the Chaiwallah has finally got a Chaiwali (though she prefers that, at home, I make the tea).
Its been a crazy last few months, juggling between work and arrangements for the wedding, now we are somewhat settling in into the new scheme of things. After a small ceremony here in Delhi (actually Noida) we went to Shillong (my home town) and then back to Delhi and then to Indore (her home town) and didn't even have enough leaves left to plan a honeymoon (I'll have to pay for that).
The wedding went off fine and with family and friends around, it was the best time of our lives (yet). Only I goofed up missing out on inviting some friends (my mother ensured that all relatives were). Apologies buddies.To make things simpler we opted for a marriage according to Arya Samaj rituals but that didn't spare me the ignominy (that Bengali bridegrooms have to suffer) of wearing the tupur, courtesy my sis-in-law (No, I'm not going to post those pictures, atleast not here).
I was also live tweeting from my marriage ceremony. Here's what my Twitter feed read that night:
About to tie the knot in some time from now.And here's me tweeting away:
Wedding photographers can be real pests, but then that's their job.
Olive Garden in Noida Sector 52 is a nice place indeed.
@thecomicproject Oh yes!
@akgoyal She will, if she realises what I'm doing.
Damn feeling sleepy already.
The dulha always ends up hungry... for food.
And kids have the most fun at weddings.
Distant relatives getting the day's update over the phone.
Cousins think that we are SMSing each other, while I'm just twittering.
Now my neice's daiper needs to be changed.
Everyone in splits over a funny ringtone.
Round of jokes to keep everyone awake.
From suit changed to dhoti kurta and bhabi insisting that I wear the tupur (the joker-like cap)
Waiting for the bride... girls just can't be on time even for their own wedding.
The problem of being the groom is that you can't slip inside the quilt.
@Thecomicproject I waited for 8 years for this day... so impatience does creep in. Minutes become longer.
Even the bored panditji is giving Bhagwat Gita sermons to the photographer and the videographer.
And kids will cry and one will copy the other leading to a wail fest.
Coffee!
Finally the bride is here. Shouldn't be tweeting during the ceremony.
Just married!
The combination of Vedic shlokas and snores was pure spiritual sloth.
Now for the bidai and the accompanying tears.
Intense discussion on about my brother's ability to sleep with his eyes and mouth open.
via mobile web Now I can even think of venturing into the wedding planning business.
Also got to update my Facebook profile...okay that can wait for a few hours more.
The Chaiwallah's now got a Chaiwalli.
The day after. Everyone's still blissfully asleep.
Me with the generation next:
The Chaiwallah with the Chaiwali at Shillong View Point, close to Shillong Peak - the highest point in Meghalaya.
Chaiwallahs can be warriors to. In a traditional Khasi attire (they gave me a wodden sword, so that I don't cause too much damage in my excitement).
But being married shouldn't change my blogging habits (atleast I would like to think so).
On a personal end life's changed and now expecting that to happen in the professional sphere too. Will keep posted.
The title of the post is inspired from a congratulations tweet from Dhiraj Ramakrishnan (@stupendousman78)
"congratulations on the chaiwaali may be you need to start planning for the chotus"The Chotus (or the Chotis) will have to wait, a little.