Swalpa adjust maadi

You would have heard this phrase if you lived in Karnataka. This is the quintessential appeal for a fellow to take on extra hardship for the comfort of the other person. The hardship may be minuscule; nevertheless it is hardship. Incidentally, this is also the phrase that comes to my mind whenever I visited one of the Indian restaurant in Paris in the past two weeks.

When I go out to dinner, I am alone. The pangs of hunger and joy of laziness never lets me plan an outing to this place with friends. A few months ago when I was eating alone at a table for two, I was requested to share the table with another person. The request was followed by a heart-tugging epilogue. "We are all Indians. No?". We are Indians. So we can adjust or compromise. That is the unwritten message. I obliged. 

Let me be frank with you. That adjusting act didn't earn me anything in return during the future visits even though my demands do not beyond a harmless smile or even a nod. Anyway, the above mentioned event concerns only me. For the last two weeks, the same restaurant have been doing minor patch works inside the building. The narrow corridor, leading to the washroom and also the restrooms, is often blocked because of this. In addition to this, the main entrance is sometimes blocked. What surprises me is the work being conducted during the weekends when the restaurant is always busy.

The clientele is from diverse backgrounds. In France, the labour laws are strict. Probably, that is why they cannot do renovation at night. They will not close down the restaurant fearing the loss of business. Beyond doubt, they expect everyone to adjust.

Tags: Musings,Adjust,Compromise,Indian Restaurant,Paris