Thursday, December 24, 2009

Barber-ic salesman

This transpired during my latest visit to the saloon on 12/24
After the customary cut, trim, shave & massage, Venkatesh (the barber) lured me (yeah, literally) into trying out next value-chain of their offerings.
This is how he began: (for junta who cannot follow the language of the land, translation in italics below)

@Venkatesh: Super saar. Sakkath aagi ide.
Fantastic. Looks good (Referring to his artistry on my greying head-growth and my french beard)

@Sameer: Good. Aaytha?
Good. So are you done?

@Venkatesh: Ade, noodtha idde. Face alli thumba dark spots ide.
I can see a lot of dark spots on your face.

@Sameer: Hmm!!
So what? Big deal! I'm getting late; relieve me. Need to go.

@Venkatesh: Facial try maadi saar. Glow aagatthe...'nodidda takshana chak anbeku'. Hosa pack ide. L'oreal avardu. International brand saar. Manne obrige haakidde. Super antha mechkondru.
Difficult to translate and retain the kick. But here is what he meant. Try the new L'oreal facial. Your face will glow & shine. The other day, another customer tried it and liked it a lot.

@Sameer: Eega bedappa. Already late aayithu. Saturday athva Sunday barthini.
Not now. Getting late already. Will come over the weekend.

To recollect how it was when I was a kid, I vividly remember my dad handing over a 'kadak' Rs 10 note. After paying for the cut, I would still get back some change. I would buy a 'Chik' shampoo sachet & keep the remaining change for 'splurging' during the interval at school.
Now, I don't get back any change even after paying Rs 100 to Venkatesh.
Times they are a changing!!

1 comment:

  1. Venkatesh has your best interests at heart!
    Chak anta facial madsi matte extra duddu kodi :)

    ReplyDelete