Corporate Citizen – Another example

Is this a good example of being a corporate citizen? Go figure.

Me? I like the Lifebuoy ad better than this…

How to become a famous Blogger…

 

Simple yet profound :)

Courtesy – Dave Walker

Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian…Indian Airlines experience today :)

I took an early morning flight (6am) out of Bangalore- and had this truly interesting chat with one of the stewards in the Indian Airlines flight as he got ready to serve the food.

Steward: Sir- what are you? Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian?

Me: What are the options?

Steward: Sorry Sir, I was not offering options, I just want to know if you are Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian?

Me: What does that mean?

Steward: We have a problem at times because we have limited Vegetarian meals onboard- and if you are not vegetarian, I will give you a Non-Veg meal- which allows the other Vegetarians to have their veg breakfast.

Me: You mean, I really don't have a choice? I should eat Non-Veg if I am not vegetarian  - in general. Is that what you mean? (lucky I am wearing a seat belt- lest I fall off my seat).

Steward: Sorry but Yes sir. (big smile).

Me: Ok, I am Vegetarian! (Yeah!).

And he served the Vegetarian food to me and walked away – and achieved what many other employees have  done before to Air India – lost yet another customer!

And just to end the story on a positive tone- I took Jet airways from Kolkata to Guwahati and back. They upgraded me (one way without me asking – and the other way by me asking). 

I am a Jet customer for life! What can I say? 

Rules for Indian Roads

Partially taken from : Mohan Dadlani , Outlook Lounge

After driving around in Singapore for the last 10 years, taking to the roads in India was an exhilarating experience.  Singapore driving teaches you to follow rules, and over the years, I had forgotten just how much of an experience Indian driving is.  Sitting at the airport (as I am now), I came across this article which I just have to reproduce (with some minor variations- due apologies to the author Mohan). 

Excerpts from the article:

For the benefit of everyone daring to drive on the Indian roads, here are a few hints for survival. They are applicable to every place in India except Bihar, where life outside a vehicle is only marginally safer.  Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best and leave the rest to your insurance company.  The hints are as follows:

1. Do we drive on the left or right of the road?  The answer is both. You start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess. (it could be in inches).

2. Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed.  Adherence to road rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality.

3. Most drivers don't drive, but just aim their vehicles in the intended direction. Don’t you get discouraged or underestimate yourself. most other drivers are not in any better position either.

4. Dont stop at any crossing or Pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back. Some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill of the dead.

5. Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest but to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance or just a wake up call to a dozing cow in the middle of the road.

There are other points- but this really hit the mark for me.  I am sportingly taking the car out - and taking it for a drive every now and then.  I spend more time waiting in corners waiting for someone to stop and let me go- much to the chagrin of people behind me!  Of course, I have learnt to ignore the horns blaring around me- and am re-learning the joy of pressing that horn- which gives an immediate release to pent up frustrations.  The other learning is the ability to rapidly look at all the mirrors in the car- and also in the front of the car.  I realized that it is not necessary now- most drivers just don't care- as it is not their responsibility to worry about someone's else's insignificant life.  The others will take care of themselves - and they do.

Lastly- don't get attached to your cars! Especially if you cannot stand scratches & dents. They tend to appear magically even when parked on empty roads.

Having fun! Honk Honk. 

Dollar Droops!

Times are indeed bad.  I saw this on the Reuters when I was outside my office. Dollar "droops"? Sigh - the effect is being felt even more deeply  :)

 

My favorite Dilbert :)

 

I found this very funny and I laughed for a long time. Next time someone says, their work is "fine" I am bound to think of these lines.

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