Face value

One of the things people believe in our country is the face value. We would’ve heard people say “He looked like a cop.” or “She looks like a teacher” or even “he looks like a thief”.

Me? How do I put it.….when I walk into a store, the person who comes into the store after me, for some reason, thinks that I work at the store. I have the face of an average working-class man. I once walked into the TI cycles factory outlet located within the manufacturing plant to enquire the price of a bicycle. A few meters into the campus, a short guy in formals stopped me. I looked at him.

“Where is your uniform?” he asked in a threatening tone. For a moment, even I thought I worked there.

But I ended up saying, “I am not an employee. I came here to look for a bicycle.” He apologized and left the place.

When I’m at the supermarket, people used to tap my shoulder and ask me “Where is pooja oil?” or “Where is moong dal?”. This happens to me all the time.

Recently, I was at my regular tea shop for my morning tea and vadai. This place in Pallikaranai serves amazing medhu vadai and coconut chutney at 6 AM. So, I walked into the store, picked up a plate from the counter (as it is self – serve), and kept two medhu vadais on the plate. When I was about to pour the chutney, someone tapped on my shoulder.

I turned and there was this big guy with a huge mustache. I could feel his breath on my face. He said, “I said two medhu vadai parcel. Not for having here”

I said “Okay? What should I do for that?”

Then I quickly recollected my experiences and said, “I don’t work here”

He backed off. Meanwhile, the owner of the shop came running and said, “Sir! He’s a customer. He doesn’t work here.” A bunch of them giggled between their tea sips and cigarette puffs.

But, it doesn’t bother me much. I enjoy such incidents! It is fun. And, if you think I’d say something like “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, and end the essay, I am not. I was thinking about it today, and I thought I’ll share the incident with you.