Shopping with guys:Few things to remember

The DNA composition of guys just doesn’t support the element called “shopping”. So if by any chance you have ever gone on a shopping spree with a guy, you can easily tell how lazy they are about it.
The entire shopping process clearly shows the Mars and Venus difference right from the point of “what to shop for”. While we, the Venus species would be drooling over all the clothes and accessories outlets, the only outlet that would interest the mars species is gizmos. So, no surprise that while your cupboard is full of your shopping testimonials they may not be using cupboards at all or while you would be going outside with a (or may be more) huge suitcase with one dress for every occasion they would be just taking one bag pack(as small as your handbag) with them .
Difference Two: They won’t search an entire Mall or shopping street just for a best deal. So forget it if you are shopping with a guy and still wish to “window shop” all shops, probability is that his face will drop with every “one last shop” you visit and by the time you are through with your entire window shopping, you may not even find him by your side. They are one shop one stop people. So don’t be surprised if their one shirt cost more than your three dresses.
Difference Three: Bargaining is a big NO-NO; don’t even dare to bargain in front of them. Chances of his supporting the salesperson are more than supporting you.
Difference Four: Don’t ask for their opinion (esp. after u have window-shopped and tried lot of things and still not purchased anything), it would be highly biased towards pulling you out of that outlet if not a big outburst of their suppressed emotions.
Difference Five: They share the same passion for the word “SALE” only difference being that the feelings for the same are pole apart, you may be hooked to it but they just loathe it.

I have never shopped with guys except for some rare occasions, recent being when I have to leave for home and badly needed a trolley bag , I asked one of my friend to accompany me for the same , He agreed and we went to just two outlet( I still believe it’s too small a number for me). In the first outlet I liked one (which was just a single piece) but my friend didn’t agreed for the color while we were discussing the same one person took it off adding much to my chagrin. So I asked my friend that I will decide the next outlet which ( much to his disappointment ) was a hyper mart with a sale going on its luggage section( can’t help it ;) ) . My friend took a deep breath before entering and said “10 minutes and we would be out “. I picked the bag after “I hate coming here”,” I feel suffocated here”, “why don’t they just bill faster”, and “How much grocery do these people buy”. So I reminded him that he is also going to be one of those people after some years to which he just gave me the “I will kill you” look and we went out.

Second, recent occasion being when I visited Delhi, me and one of my friends decided to meet up at CP so after some chat and few coffees we were just strolling around the place when I saw Jan path. He asked me to shop anywhere except this place since he had sworn that he won’t visit this place again. After much persuasion and “why don’t you girls just shop at all these big glass structure “he agreed, we went inside and he start chatting on his phone (he need distraction he said). Following conversation followed:
Me: How much for this bhaiyya (ok this is common addressal for whomsoever u don’t know and yeah exceptions are always there;) )
Salesman: 400 bucks
Me : 180
Friend: Are you crazy ??? its less then even half!
Salesman: no madam
Me :Ok ( and I dropped the piece)
Salesman: Ok madam 220 final
Me: Nop just 180
Friend: Common buy it he has come down to 220
Salesman: Ok 210
Me:ok 200 Final
I got the stuff and my friend again swore that day that he won't visit the place again atleast not with a girl.

Journey back home

I checked my travel details one last time online and left for the day from office (after receiving a lot of” happy journey “and “enjoy your holiday” wishes) I needed this much deserved break simply because living in a place with such a small social circle just make me homesick. I packed my bag finally (am a last minute packer) and put on alarm for early morning 5. My journey started at 6 by catching the bus to airport in a similar fashion as Kareena catches the train in JWM; only difference being that I didn’t met Saahid on my way back home ;) (BTW I was good 10 min before time for the bus but I don’t know why that *&^%$# was leaving so early), the only good thing about the travel was the stretch between jaynagar and airport, rarely would you find roads in Bangalore sans traffic except this time.
You can easily make out a flight for Delhi merely by seeing a lotta Punjabi crowd, so no exception that my fellow passenger was a Punjabi lady with a cute (OK this is the last time I am mentioning this word here) little child Harshpreet and a Buddhist monk.(I have actually stopped expecting meeting any handsome hunk on board so having a monk as a co passenger was really cool at least he is an intellectual person and yeah BTW he was good too) So as soon as the flight took off little Harsh start crying with all his mother’s effort in vain (My sympathy for poor lady), I looked at Mr. monk’s face which was still very serene so I thought I should not crib either and went to sleep (Ok I really adore kids but somebody just answer me this question: why don’t they sleep when its time for other people to sleep??? )So, finally after no sleep I reached Delhi and you can instantly tell that you have reached when you feel hot wind on your poor face as soon as you are out of plane. Welcome to Delhi @ 38’c.Welcome again by another black and yellow species (a distant cousin of Bangalore autowallahs, known as Taxiwallahs here).
It really feels home here at Delhi (no I am not acting like a typical North Indian by starting Delhi GunGyan), met my relatives and brother, catching up with friends and having home made food. Would be leaving for home soon and enjoy all these luxury for few more days before am back to Bangalore and yeah back to office :(

Memoirs @ Pune

Pune known as Queen of Deccan is the second largest city in Maharashtra, a city known for its cultural heritage and history. But Pune for me is something different, a city which still makes me nostalgic remembering the days I spent there. The days when I was studying in the place which is known as Oxford of East, truly a student’s paradise. Pune for me is a city bustling with youthfulness . Pune for me is my college, my friends and celebrating every small moment with them. Pune is driving on Hijawadi’s broad and empty road, watching all IT giant’s buildings and dreaming to be there one day. Pune is having Vada paav, special cutting and kaanda poha for breakfast and still not getting bored of it. Pune is having the cheapest and the best coffee at Durga’s at Kothrud. Pune is going to Ozone(the only mall at Aundh ) at odd hours and having special roadside grilled sandwiches and paani poori.Pune for me is paranthas at Chaitanya, South Indian food at Vaishali and lunch at Andhra Mess. Pune is shopping spree without money at MG and FC road (Bet me you get trendiest and yet cheapest things here), looking for junk jewellery and chatai chappal at Fashion street and trendiest clothes at Hongkong market. Pune for me is meeting friends at the landmark Dorabjee’s on MG road, and window shopping at Nucleus, Pyramid and Central with a cup of coffee at CCD (I think that was a bit affordable).
Pune is the thick lassi and basundi at Shree Kailash at Pune station, cake from Monjini’s, sizzlers at Kobe’s and dabeli, SPDP’s (till now I haven’t remembered its full form)at roadside. Pune is strolling at Koregaon Park, dreading but still visiting House of horrors at Gold Adlabs, Osho ashram and German bakery at KP. Pune for me is movies at E- Square (I still wonder how we used to get ticket there easily after seeing the situation here esp. on weekends),visiting Sinhagad fort only when it rains( and you can’t see anything except fog ,forget about scenic beauty) and having the best tea and Kaanda bhaaji ( sheer heaven considering the cold there).
Pune, where it doesn’t rain but it pours and still planning to go to Lonavala and Khandala in that weather. Having strawberries at Mahabaleshwar and best fast food and desserts at Mapro’s. Pune, where all women drives wearing sun coat and head mask (much to the disappointment of guys) and where you can see Shivaji’s statues at every park. Pune is visiting Dagduseth halwai’s temple and Chaturshingi devotionally after clearing your exam and before/ after placements. Pune is driving through potholes (and not roads), passing Mula and Mutha river on our way back home and wondering whether it’s a river or a drain.
Pune to me is Ganpati Festival in full swing, chanting Ganpati bappa morya and watching people dancing to the tunes of Himesh Reshamiya in front of Ganesh statues for 10 days, so if you are wondering why Himesh’s tunes then the answer is Bappa is happy when he see his devotees happy, devotees are happy when they dance and DJ’s favorite is Himesh (that’s logic was given to me by one of my friend).
I still miss that vibe here and do try to visit Pune just to refresh my memories.If you are a pakka Punekar then you too must be having some memories similar to mine and may be much more. I think thats the spirit of Pune that you can't forget this city once you are there.