It’s not often that Caucasians ask mom where she’s from; least of all, a customer service representative at a home improvement store who was busy selling her the finer points of Berber carpeting.
A week ago, Ahmed, a McDonald’s manager had asked her where she was from as she picked up her order of French fries. From the way he smiled at her, mom knew the discussion would not be limited to counting change.
“You’re not allowed to eat beef, right?” he asked.
“Well …” began mom, wondering if she should tell him that it was more of a personal choice. “Yes,” she finally said, taking the easy way out.
“My religion doesn’t allow me to eat pork,” he offered, displaying his pearly whites.
Mom smiled, not sure what to say next. Thankfully, her whining children prevented further conversation, especially since she had no inclination to continue the transaction.
Sans kids today, mom wandered through the carpet section at a local store, running her fingers through different fibers and textures. Stifling a yawn, she listened to a blond salesman talk about carpet construction - a subject as fascinating to her as art is to the visually impaired.
Suddenly, the man stopped mid-sentence and asked, “Where are you from?”
Taken aback by the politically incorrect question by a Caucasian, mom replied, “India.”
“I just want to say you have the most beautiful eyes,” he said. “They’re so big and bright; they're simply lovely.”
Mom blushed and managed a weak “Thank you” since compliments embarrass her.
She looked away, hoping to steer him back to carpets and padding, but the man said enough nice things about her eyes to make her wonder if she should return to the store the following week with her eyebrows threaded and some makeup on.
After a few more minutes of carpet talk, mom headed to the checkout counter feeling light-headed and giddy. Still in beetroot red blush mode, she fluttered her eyelashes at the cashier.
“What a pretty shirt!” the man exclaimed, pointing to her vibrant orange kurti. “I love the colors and bold patterns.”
A little miffed, mom thanked him dryly and walked out with her purchases.
“Maybe he's married, with two kids and a dog, and is wedded to his laptop,” she consoled herself.
11 comments:
hehe, I am liking u sitting at home. More posts :)
so pretty eyes eh? nice! :)
rads, dunno, haven't heard anything from the person I'm wedded to.
leaving for india, but ... mom shopping for carpets ... *lightbulb strikes clueless sherlock* terri, omigosh, you've really geriatrified*, haven't you?
jeopardy question: what's common about these politically correct terms? indians/caucasians/african-americans.
'“Maybe he's married, with two kids and a dog, and is wedded to his laptop,” she consoled herself.'
*lightbulb continues to hover*
1) maybe wife was within earshot
2) maybe he is/was an artist, and colours (hint, hint) and bold patterns are/were his forte!
- s.b.
*=link to request forgiveness from grammar bullies/nazies.
Sherlock, it's elementary. 10-year-old house + 1 geriatric pet + 2 children under the age of 10 and their assorted friends = 1 filthy carpet. Time to replace.
1) maybe wife was within earshot - No, I checked.
2) maybe he is/was an artist, and colours (hint, hint) and bold patterns are/were his forte! - Possible.
3) maybe he's gay - Higher probability.
:)
@Anonymous: It's not contradictory. If you want to sell the house faster, it's a good idea to replace the carpet..
Orange kurti? Nice...I cant wait for the weather to warm up here so I can bring out all my desi kurtis..
lekhni:
in the current environment, nothing will sell a house faster than lowering the asking price.
i hope terri and family are not selling their house. not in this market!
- s.b.
House is for rent (with brand new carpeting), if anybody's interested.
I agree with salesman about the beautiful eyes bit.
Good luck with finding tenants.
Terri - another good one from mom. I do have to agree with the carpet salesman on the beautiful eyes though:)
Ladies, blush, blush (mom rushes to retrieve eyebrow lady's number from phone book and programs it on speed dial, all the while wondering if she's married to Dhritarashtra).
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