A penny for their perception!
Money saved is money earned! This
adage is often used as per convenience. Some stingy folks do not spend at all!
Importance of saving money cannot be ruled out yet you must hear it from these
creatures who are trying save every penny at the expense of their privacy.
After all, for them, what all counts is penny and not solitude, right?
Such souls never fail to surprise
you. The other day, after reaching home at 10.30
pm , I was just about to hit the bed when the phone rang. Must be
some emergency call, I said to myself as I saw an unknown number flashing. Of
all the people, it was a newly-wed acquaintance who had come to Pune and wanted
to introduce his wife to me. “Let us catch up at (Sujata) Mastani,” he said.
Oh, this time? A recently married
man must be with his mastani!! I
decided to oblige. On meeting, I expected him to introduce me to his wife. But
this man voiced his post-marriage mission. “Tomorrow, we are going to
Panchgani. Good na?” From somewhere near Pune to Panchgani? God save the
money-saver!! Probably mastani, instead of some upmarket place, had to do with
this attitude, I felt. The shop was about to roll shutters down and his wife (a
wise lady) rushed to place the order. And our friend was concerned about the
tariff! I was sure he would zero in on the lowest number on the right side of
the menu card. “I will have a small
glass and so ’ll my wife as we are coughing. Would you like to have a big one?”
This question thrown at me, I started coughing…
During the course of
conversation, I learnt he had put up at a relative’s place in Pune. A man on
honeymoon at kin’s place! Lesser said the better. I said a goodbye feeling for
the plight of the poor wife!
This reminded me of the story of
a Jew who had gone on honeymoon to Switzerland
Saving the money is fine but at
the cost of what? In this business of counting every penny, these people tend
to forget that others might like to protect their privacy. My friend’s mother
is one such interesting character. She has a vehicle but she travels in a
public transport if she’s alone. Not that she can’t drive but her calculation
says one should take a vehicle out only in case of full occupancy! If it’s a
car, there have to be five people minimum and two on a bike. She doesn’t have
any specific plans for outings. What’s more intriguing is her plan hinges on
vehicular capacity. Every time, when she hears of a person or a couple going
outstation, she barges into the car. The woman doesn’t even spare her son when
he goes for an outing with his wife. “Oh! Only two of you? I’ll also come.” She
drove me mad once when she insisted to come with me to Mumbai. It was an official
assignment and I was hiring a cab. “Alone in the car? I will give you company.”
The woman was uncalled for on professional work and on top of it, I was
perfectly happy in my own company. How I wish she met someone who could be
brutally blunt!
Judicious people wouldn’t mind
spending a few extra bucks for their privacy. Everyone is free to have one’s
own concept of privacy and spend accordingly. Sadly, about stingy
personalities, it’s nothing to do with spending capacity but with their vague
notions. Still, no sweat about them compromising on their privacy to save every
penny but it’s worse when they tend to think that every next person is like
them!
-KanChan
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