Consumerism is on a all-time high. Never seen such dedicated indulgence in commodities. Why, the other day when I was doing some window shopping to kill time, my eyes caught the fancy of a sleek shiny black beauty of a mobile, perched prettily on the window. 'What a seductress!', I thought. I wanted to possess it immediately. The salesgirl quoted an obscene amount, yet my mind was overpowered by the thought of owning the gadget. I could not sleep that night and the next morning, I let my vanity take complete possession of my modesty. I shelled out my savings to get hold of the latest arrival in the market. Finally, I should look trendy and very happening, I thought.
Well, I was bang on target! I had become a mini celebrity. I reveled in the glory. My friends and acquaintances wanted to check its features. The kids wanted to try the games and the husband wanted to check the latest apps. My neighbour's college going kid wanted to know if he could borrow it for a day to impress his friends. Even my building watchman, who used to ignore me earlier, wishes me now after he spotted the mobile in my hand. That was the last day, I actually used it. I always found it in others' hand. I was allowed only to take calls and check messages. I had to make do with the land line to make calls. I despaired. But there was more woe to come. The maid now wants a raise in her salary. Reason? If I could afford such an expensive gadget, I could surely afford her a raise. After the initial high, reality hit me hard on my face. So much for drooling over this innocuous looking beauty!
Not only have I burnt a huge hole in my pocket, but also I have lost my peace of mind. The kids tease me mercilessly for being so outdated on its functions. "Why buy when you don't know how to make use of it?", asked the wise husband. 'Enough is enough', I thought. "Phones are just meant to make and take calls", I proclaimed mightily, "why have an all-purpose phone when you have other gadgets to cater to your every need?". I decided to return this piece and buy myself a cheap basic model. I took the creature to the showroom where I had fallen in love with it. The salesman clicked his tongue and said "madam, this piece will not fetch you much now". "But I bought it just 10 days ago!", I protested. "Yeah, I saw the bill. But don't you know the company has come up with a new model?", he asked, with a how-outdated-you-can-be look. So here I am - outdated and old fashioned once again! Even after much protest, the salesman would not budge and with a heavy heart I had to bring back the little monster home.
Now, it lies somewhere in a corner of the house. And every time it rings I could feel it mocking me in a different tune. And yes... did I tell that I am yet to learn to make proper use of it!
Well, I was bang on target! I had become a mini celebrity. I reveled in the glory. My friends and acquaintances wanted to check its features. The kids wanted to try the games and the husband wanted to check the latest apps. My neighbour's college going kid wanted to know if he could borrow it for a day to impress his friends. Even my building watchman, who used to ignore me earlier, wishes me now after he spotted the mobile in my hand. That was the last day, I actually used it. I always found it in others' hand. I was allowed only to take calls and check messages. I had to make do with the land line to make calls. I despaired. But there was more woe to come. The maid now wants a raise in her salary. Reason? If I could afford such an expensive gadget, I could surely afford her a raise. After the initial high, reality hit me hard on my face. So much for drooling over this innocuous looking beauty!
Not only have I burnt a huge hole in my pocket, but also I have lost my peace of mind. The kids tease me mercilessly for being so outdated on its functions. "Why buy when you don't know how to make use of it?", asked the wise husband. 'Enough is enough', I thought. "Phones are just meant to make and take calls", I proclaimed mightily, "why have an all-purpose phone when you have other gadgets to cater to your every need?". I decided to return this piece and buy myself a cheap basic model. I took the creature to the showroom where I had fallen in love with it. The salesman clicked his tongue and said "madam, this piece will not fetch you much now". "But I bought it just 10 days ago!", I protested. "Yeah, I saw the bill. But don't you know the company has come up with a new model?", he asked, with a how-outdated-you-can-be look. So here I am - outdated and old fashioned once again! Even after much protest, the salesman would not budge and with a heavy heart I had to bring back the little monster home.
Now, it lies somewhere in a corner of the house. And every time it rings I could feel it mocking me in a different tune. And yes... did I tell that I am yet to learn to make proper use of it!
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