Of cranks and crankcases

Thought for the day:Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. Will Rogers

On some days, it seems that all the cranks are out to see how they can irk me. So, today was one of those days. The first guy was a new product seller, who got my reference from a friend. Here’s how the conversation went, in brief:

Him: Heloooo.

Me: Yes.

Him: Is that Mr. Ameet?

Me: Yes, I’m Amit. (emphasis on the I)

Him: Good day to you, Mr. Ameet(He didn’t listen to my pronunciation, obviously, as are most people who’re too wrapped up in their own dialogues, out here, to listen to what the other person says). I am …. And I am the Managing Director of a Building Materials Co.

(LOL- I’m supposed to be impressed? Most shop-keepers call themselves MDs or GMs).

Me: Ok. So?

Him: (Surprise in his voice that I am not amazed that a MD called me): What are your office timings, Mr. Amit?(For heavens sake, once you use my name, you don’t have to keep repeating it till it wears out,man!)

Me: 8 to 530.

Him: And, where do you stay?

Me(Thinking he’s making polite conversation): Karama.

Him: Well, I will meet you in Karama after 6, Mr.Amit, if it’s ok with you?

Me: No, it’s not all right with me. Office work, during office hours.

Him: But, if we meet the first time, it’s good,…..

Me(More firmly): No

Him: Ok, how do you reach home?

Me(Irritated now): Company bus. So, you want to come at 4?

Him: No, I’ll come at 5, then we can go together and I’ll drop you off.

Me: (Really bugged now): Look, you want to come at 4, come. If not, forget it.

Him: Can I call you back?

Me: Sure(And, I all but banged the phone)

(After 15 minutes, phone rings, now he calls from land line to ensure I don’t recognize the number- otherwise I wouldn’t have picked it up):

Me: Hello.

Him: Hello, Mr. Amit, I am ….. here.

Me(Groaning inwardly): Go on(In the tiredest voice I could muster).

Him: Please don’t get me wrong, but, I only suggest we meet…..

Me(Cutting him off): Look, you want to come, you come at 4. If not, come some other day.

Him: Ok, I will give you a call before coming, tomorrow

Me: OK.(With great restraint)…no need to call, come at 4 only).

Now, I absolutely dislike such people, who think everyone’s for Sale, and try to chat people up, to see what their sale price is. So, you can imagine me sadistically rubbing my hands together, and waiting to really fire this guy tomorrow, so that we don’t meet again or talk again in future. In the rare event that I am in a good mood, I’ll probably give him an inquiry, and, once his quote comes in, I’ll tell him that his price is triple our expectations. AAAh, the pleasures of being an engineering-based Procurement Head…sometimes, it makes it all worthwhile.

Part II coming up, tomorrow, or whenever Mr. MD calls.

The second crank is down at our 24 hours supermarket, but, those details also follow tomorrow. I don't think you can read about any more cranks today.

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End-joke:

Blonde joke, for a change:
A man got on a bus with both of his front pants pockets full of golf balls.
A blonde kept looking quizzically at him and his bulging pockets. Finally, after many such glances from her, he said, "It's golf balls."
The blonde continued to look at him thoughtfully and finally asked, "Does it hurt as much as tennis elbow?"

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Todays generation:

Six year old boy to a four year old boy: Dude, I found a c*ndom in the balcony.

Four year old boy: What’s a balcony ?

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Till next time,keep smiling.