Satisfaction eludes me always
The lyrics to the classic by the Rolling Stones resonate with me as I try to procure the services of repairmen or adequate answers to my queries from bank staff. It’s like hitting a brick wall each time. Getting through to the person concerned is the first hurdle. When I succeed, I am unable to understand what is being said. Either the words come out at a speed difficult for me to catch or the accent is incomprehensible. When I eventually make out what has been said, I quickly outline the problem I am facing. After answering a volley of questions, I am told the technician will be there in the afternoon. I push for an approximate time and a time is given. I know from bitter experience that I can add another four hours to that estimated time of arrival. Of course in laid-back Hyderabad, time has no meaning. The word ‘kal’ is ambiguous. In Hindi it can mean tomorrow or yesterday. But when a Hyderabadi uses the word, it can mean any time in the future.
Two months ago, I had a small accident on my scooter which resulted in my falling down when a car swiped my vehicle from the right. The right hand mirror broke and had to be replaced. I am still waiting for the replacement. First the mirror was out of stock. Then I was told it had come and I waited all day but in vain. A subsequent phone call revealed that the mirror they had received was damaged. Did they just receive one mirror? I was perplexed. So the waiting game continues. I call them every day for an update and am given no firm assurances. Unfortunately, I cannot ride my bike without the mirror as this is a necessary accessory on the roads here where you have to be wary of people who believe in keeping everyone in the dark regarding their movements, whether it is making a sudden turn to the right or left or stopping in the middle of the road to catch up with a friend passing by.
Testing the patience
I have been making frequent visits to banks to get hold of documents for income tax purposes. One of these has been suffering from manpower problems as several of its employees contracted Covid. Attending to customers has tested the patience of the skeleton staff and the service is painfully slow. One has to stand in line (actually it’s very difficult to determine where the line actually begins as people stand in twos and threes) and, by the time you reach the window, the person behind the glass seems engrossed in his computer screen. He is frequently interrupted by the new manager or other co-workers as he seems to be the only one who knows all the answers. As I wait to be noticed, my blood pressure rises as there’s nothing more ego-deflating than being ignored. When he finally deigns to acknowledge my presence, I am so grateful that I find myself squirming at how thrilled I sound when I outline what I need. However, my mood is quickly deflated when I am told to wait as he goes back to his computer as if searching for the holy grail. A long time later, I am asked if I could come back the next day as this is going to take some time as he cannot find the information I need. I know that the swell of people behind me has grown and social distancing has gone for a toss. I give him my email id and request him to send me what I require.
Needless to say, I wait for a week but receive no email. So I return to the bank in fighting mode only to be handed the document immediately. Now I understand what it means to have the wind taken out of your sails.