Surprise Experiences

On the 31st of May, I was completely taken aback by the experience I had on the same day. In the morning, I had to take my daughter for her language test and then to Cannaught Place for a lovefest meeting of the teenagers in the churches in Delhi and Gurugram as a part of the reward scheme for reading the Bible daily within a specific period as assigned to them. Then, along with my youngest daughter and wife, we had lunch at KFC in the same area, after which we went shopping in Palika Bazar. I had come here once or twice many years ago, but never purchased anything. The only thing I knew about this place was that it was a famous underground shopping complex and full of pickpockets. I actually needed to buy a good leather belt for myself. I had been searching online and could not find one that I felt was proper. Therefore, I took a round in the complex searching for belts.

Shop by shop, I was greeted by shopkeepers the moment they knew I was looking for belts. Just a little showing interest was sufficient for them to take all the liberty to speak about the belt. I had never seen such salesmanship in my entire life where the salesman had to speak so much about just a belt. If they were journalist, an article could have been published on the qualities of the belt they try to sell. Shop by shop, each salesperson spoke almost the same thing with action of trying to prove how genuine the leather was, using a pocket lighter to try to burn the leather. I was not convinced by what they said or what I saw. I was very clear in my mind what I wanted, and very keen in my spirit, whether I should purchase or not.  It was a good opportunity to discern the leading of the Lord deep within against the backdrop of "aggressive advertisements."

When I finally found the one I felt was proper, and another one without a buckle, I asked for the price. To my surprise, I was quoted Rs. 1500 for the nice leather belt I chose to buy and another Rs. 1000 for the leather belt only without the buckle. The price was actually what was printed on the price tag of both belts. I started bargaining with my "market Hindi." I did not know what percentage I had to bargain to. So to find out their latest price, I just walked off. Then, the salesman followed me and reduced the price from 1500 to 1000, then from 1000 to 800, then on and on to 500, and then finally to 200! Shocking! From 1500 to 200? Still, I did not buy.  I knew the actual price now.

Then I went to another shop, and chose a similar belt I had already seen in the previous shop. Interestingly, the same scene was repeated. The salesman kept speaking and speaking and speaking. The same act he showed me to prove it was genuine leather. After spending considerable time, I felt within myself that I should just conclude it. When I asked for the last price, he said the same price as on the price tag, Rs. 1500 for one, and Rs. 1000 for another without a buckle. Since I already knew the last price from the other salesman who tried to sell to me, I simply quoted Rs. 200 for the one without a buckle and Rs. 300 for the one with a buckle. I quoted the price, a total of Rs. 500, and after a few exchanges of words and bargaining, he agreed. And I got the two belts for Rs. 500, which actually was quoted for Rs. 2500. What a surprise bargain! This was a complete surprise to me. Incredible India indeed. 

Later in the evening, two sisters from Korea and a local sister with her son visited me. They came very late, and when they did show up, one sister could not communicate in English at all. And another sister was completely in her own "feminist mindset." While treating dinner, I had to speak a word about the role, function, and position of a sister in the Bible. I was completely shocked by her attitude of not even accepting the Bible, where the sisters' function and position in relation to the brothers were laid down. One of the sisters even dare to quote from an extra-biblical text concerning Magdalene, which I sternly rejected as not from the word of the Bible.

These two incidents in one day were truly surprising experiences for me. Nevertheless, I learn something new...