A few days ago, I happened to visit a traditional grocery and provisions store that stocked some hard-to-find ‘Sindhi’ food items.  I was looking for something specific (khicha) and knew that I would find it there.  Sure enough, I did.  What I didn’t expect to find was a reminder on how Life used to be in the good ol’ days…

The store was being managed by two people, both well past their middle age.  One of them was clearly the owner and sat at the cashier’s desk.  The other gentleman was the one who left an impression on me, in the few minutes of interaction I had with him.

I picked up the stuff I wanted from the open shelves, and lay it on the counter in front of him.  He took a rough notepad and began with a fresh page.  He first wrote a small “om” on it (a symbol in Indian literature that signifies many things including good luck).  He then began listing the 4-5 items I’d brought to the counter, each with its own long-form description.  He put the prices against each description.  He then proceeded to compute the sum, and then wrote the total amount at the bottom of the list.  This piece of paper from a notepad made of recycled paper would serve as a receipt for my purchases, even though I hadn’t asked for any.  Then, he took a polythene bag and gently took each item (some of my purchases were fragile), taking care to pack the heavier ones at the bottom, and making full use of the bag in a way that it does not seem stuffed yet does not waste the space available.  He told me the sum that was due, and I paid him and left.

The experience I had in a small grocery store that still lived by old values was such a pleasant, welcome change from the almost-clinical, fast-paced, cold and unfriendly experience one has in the supermarket.

I only wish I could slow down other aspects of Life like this…

See Also : How to Live Without the Clock