This is becoming a trend. A trend that every retailer cultivates and advocates religiously. If not every retailer most of them do. Hence, its becoming popular with passing years.
My story started with an emerging requirement for some commodities one day. I went to the stationary shop first and asked for some ball-point pens that I needed, the total bill came out to be Rs. 38, after giving 50 rs. I got back Rs. 10 note with two toffees (1 re. each). I then went to a grocery store and asked for sooji(rava), besan and other stuff and handed the shopkeeper 200 rupees against the bill of Rs. 145/-. I got back Rs. 50 + five sweets, I asked for change to which he replied he had no change.
Coming back home, I noticed there were too many such sweets in a small basket on the table near our dining table -contributed by all the family members! So we unknowingly bought Rs. 50 sweets in a few days span, which we were not interested in consuming at all. The drift was becoming popular.
So we were discussing this new exchange system at home thinking if people can keep sweets why can't they keep change? If this is the new one rupee coin, or a new exchange currency we should also make use of it.
Post few weeks, me and my sister were getting out from a metro station. We bought water from the stall, he asked for 12 rs. I handed him Rs. 20. He gave us Rs. 5 coin + 3 sweets. (As usual).
My sister told the guy that we don't need sweets. He insisted he doesn't have any change. I asked for my 20 rs. back, handed him a Rs. 10 note and 2 sweets.
Smiling sheepishly he uttered-" hehehe Madam esa thodi hota hai." (madam, this doesn't happen) handling us the sweets back,
My Sister- "Bhaiya kyu? Jab aap humein 2 rs. ke badle sweets de rahe ho, toh wapis lena bhi seekho. hum hi mile hain bevkoof banane ko?" (Why? When you can use them as a currency why not us? Don't make fool of us)
He was embarrassed. after a few minutes of debating sessions, his logic failed, he fumbled for some change inside, gave it to us, and yes we were victorious and over with this sweet collection hobby...
P.s. You can't sell me the things I don't want to buy.
P.P.S. Try the trick. Its fun!!!
Author's Note: I noticed yet another problem with some folks i.e. not returning the change at all. While watching a play we bought some snacks during the interval, the quality wasn't good hence we returned it, the shopkeeper handed us 50 bucks back retaining ten rupees on purpose. We had to ask for the rest of the change which he handed back reluctantly. Assuming a customer won't ask for Rs. 2 or Rs 5 change(out of embarrassment), which multimillionaire Delhi folks might be doing considering it a status symbol entertaining and facilitating greedy habits in the markets, shopkeepers are facing a change in the values . Better to hand them to a beggar outside on roads, at least they are openly asking for a Bheekh!
My story started with an emerging requirement for some commodities one day. I went to the stationary shop first and asked for some ball-point pens that I needed, the total bill came out to be Rs. 38, after giving 50 rs. I got back Rs. 10 note with two toffees (1 re. each). I then went to a grocery store and asked for sooji(rava), besan and other stuff and handed the shopkeeper 200 rupees against the bill of Rs. 145/-. I got back Rs. 50 + five sweets, I asked for change to which he replied he had no change.
Coming back home, I noticed there were too many such sweets in a small basket on the table near our dining table -contributed by all the family members! So we unknowingly bought Rs. 50 sweets in a few days span, which we were not interested in consuming at all. The drift was becoming popular.
So we were discussing this new exchange system at home thinking if people can keep sweets why can't they keep change? If this is the new one rupee coin, or a new exchange currency we should also make use of it.
Post few weeks, me and my sister were getting out from a metro station. We bought water from the stall, he asked for 12 rs. I handed him Rs. 20. He gave us Rs. 5 coin + 3 sweets. (As usual).
My sister told the guy that we don't need sweets. He insisted he doesn't have any change. I asked for my 20 rs. back, handed him a Rs. 10 note and 2 sweets.
Smiling sheepishly he uttered-" hehehe Madam esa thodi hota hai." (madam, this doesn't happen) handling us the sweets back,
My Sister- "Bhaiya kyu? Jab aap humein 2 rs. ke badle sweets de rahe ho, toh wapis lena bhi seekho. hum hi mile hain bevkoof banane ko?" (Why? When you can use them as a currency why not us? Don't make fool of us)
He was embarrassed. after a few minutes of debating sessions, his logic failed, he fumbled for some change inside, gave it to us, and yes we were victorious and over with this sweet collection hobby...
P.s. You can't sell me the things I don't want to buy.
P.P.S. Try the trick. Its fun!!!
Author's Note: I noticed yet another problem with some folks i.e. not returning the change at all. While watching a play we bought some snacks during the interval, the quality wasn't good hence we returned it, the shopkeeper handed us 50 bucks back retaining ten rupees on purpose. We had to ask for the rest of the change which he handed back reluctantly. Assuming a customer won't ask for Rs. 2 or Rs 5 change(out of embarrassment), which multimillionaire Delhi folks might be doing considering it a status symbol entertaining and facilitating greedy habits in the markets, shopkeepers are facing a change in the values . Better to hand them to a beggar outside on roads, at least they are openly asking for a Bheekh!
We are moving back to the barter system I guess. Only difference is it is a one way process here. I ask for my change, I have no shame. When the shopkeeper can sell and make profit, why can't we ask for our money?
ReplyDeleteThought provoking!
Absolutely Saru, you are very right. When a shopkeeper can make profit why can't we ask for our money! Its becoming one way barter system for sure..
DeleteHmmm... It's a serious problem indeed... so we better go to a super market where we can pay the exact amount by a credit/debit card :)
ReplyDeleteCool Solution. But do you think we can avail supermarket at the places like metro stations or the stalls. Despite keeping change, sometimes we run short of it. and these shopkeepers make profit on those(one rupee) sweets as well (obviously)
DeleteThis is very true. Lot of places we get these toffees even at toll booths. One person had collected all the toffees he got from the toll booth and handed them back after a few days while passing. When the person refused, he told this is what he got. After that they stopped giving toffees. We need to raise voice and stop accepting what they give. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks itravel for sharing the similar experience of that person. I feel this was the only way to get rid of those sweets which were imposed on him.
DeleteI have seen people with change not paying only because they are either lazy or want to see a few candies :(
ReplyDeleteTrue Ghazala Hossain. Some people Retain change due to their lazy habits.
DeleteHa ha.. very nicely written. Yeah.. this trend of a sweet barter system has picked up very quickly and is thriving. Shopkeepers certainly take undue advantage of the situation.
ReplyDeleteThat was indeed a very nice trick of giving him sweets. It certainly is effective and will also give the shopkeeper a taste of his own medicine.
Thanks Raj for liking the trick ;) I wonder somewhere some chemist might be giving these toffees as change to a person buying medicine for diabities... :P
DeleteHmm serious problem....well echoed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shona.
DeleteIts a trend. In Greece, they have started barter system like groceries in exchange of piano classes etc..Thats due to their economy. Out here; if we take the same toffee back, would they accept? Thta was a good way to catch the shop keeper :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Insignia :D
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ReplyDeletewoah... Thanks for sharing so many instances here.
DeleteWe have seen these instances in dairies, stationary shops, I am amused and amazed at the fact that toffee business is flourishing in the buses as well.
You are absolutely right, the main problem with us is we dont speak. People dont mind being looted.
I have seen a few small stalls selling change in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. I once asked my father why they sell the money for money, who buys this? The answer was simple, people buy them because they need too many coins at once (normally during marriages for "shagun").
yes we are marred by greed. Businessman sell their business and sell deception along with that. We have to raise our voice rather than cursing others for looting us!
Thankyou so much for your valuable comment :)
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ReplyDeleteLol... the comment is precious, I'll have to get two three sacks of good quality toffees.
DeleteThank you so much for appreciating the space. I am really glad.
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ReplyDeleteVery well written! and soo true!!
ReplyDeletePlease have a look here! :-)
http://casacio.blogspot.in/2012/09/award-and-tag-time-d.html
Thankyou Ritvik. :) Let me follow the link!
DeleteNice written Shesha...I too get baffled when some shopkeeper offers that to me and I would never accept it at any cost....watch this video as well....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBKSNTYD-uM
Lol. Do you know how precious this video is for this discussion.... I loved it :)) sharing it on my FB wall!
Delete