“This table is reserved!” in Singapore
You can be forgiven for thinking that someone ‘Oops!’ left their wallet behind.
But nope! This is instead a small indication that this table has been reserved while folks go get their meal. It could be a packet of tissues, a ticket stub, a phone, keys, practically anything!
Have you ever encountered something similar to reserve a seat or table where you live?
Or is this just a terribly considerate honest approach possible only in Singapore?
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Fringes of fame aka star selfie ‘autograph’
A few months ago on my trip back from Kolkata, I was sitting in the lounge hunkered over my laptop furiously dashing off a few ideas and responding to emails… I heard the dulcet tones of a vaguely familiar voice however ignored, absorbed instead with processing the packed three days spent with my client and team.
As I boarded, our eyes met and she exclaimed “Hey! I know you!” Even I took a second to make the connect via mutual friends’ of my partner… Sweetly she commented “Such a different context! So sorry I didn’t recognise you earlier!”
Honestly, I looked quite different from when we last met and while we certainly socially connected several times, we don’t really know each other so well. Both of us can be forgiven for not immediately recognising.
But here is the kicker – there are a lot of people out there that think they know her.
As I walked out of the airport, there was a full bank of paparazzi. Egads?! Was that for her? Could that be possible??
And it struck me how we’ve always met within the closed ranks of an ‘inner circle’ of our mutual friends’ homes, in relaxed known environments where you can simply be yourself.
Paparazzi at the Flash Point book launch
I’m lucky. My partner is known but primarily within certain circles and environments. He has a chameleon like quality… many roles he does are so completely contrasting that recognition doesn’t get in the way of every day life.
Not so for some folks we know. With a few, I’ve learned to pick certain restaurants or places to meet where there will be less of the “Sir! Can I just have a photo with you?” In most cases, socialising happens either in homes or closed events.
Because selfies with someone famous is the new ‘autograph’. And I’ve unfortunately witnessed the mobbing that can take place with demands for brushes with fame.
Saif Ali Khan + Carissa Hickling, circa 2004
So do I fall prey to this malady? Generally no… at least not with folks I genuinely know.
However, don’t laugh, I will confess to one ‘star pose’ taken more than a decade ago when we both were dashing late for the Mumbai – Delhi flight, sharing the bus across the tarmac together…. Emboldened by the fact I knew folks that worked in New York and India on his recent (then) hit film (Kal Ho Naa Ho), asked for a pic together. My little annoying ‘fan’ moment was never to be revisited. I assumed.
Except a funny little thing happened a couple months back. We met again… He was chatting with my partner as they were in a film together and we spent a most enjoyable evening at the opening of the Prithvi Festival. This time, I took the photo and spared us both a repeat of a star-struck selfie!
Lilette, Denzil & Saif at the 2015 Prithvi Festival
Clearly this isn’t just an Indian phenomenon. When Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister of Canada, all over Facebook popped pics with the new PM to the extent that it seemed that practically everyone I know in Canada has ‘met’ him!
What do you think? Is the ‘star selfie’ the new ‘autograph’?
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When did it become rude to call?
Once upon a time we had land line phones… a home number and a work number. If you knew someone really well, chances are you had their number memorised. Anyone still able rattle off a number from the 1980s better than your spouse / partner / significant other / best friend’s current mobile!?
Then along came the mobile phone… instant contact anywhere, anytime.
Which is great if there is something truly urgent.
Which is not if you want to have some modicum of work / life balance and a certain degree of… ahem… privacy.
But here is the thing… somewhere along the way it became rude to just pick up the phone and call someone… like a guest landing up unannounced at your doorstep while you are still in your PJs, haven’t brushed your teeth or hair and generally growling at the world.
New year, new microwave… and a reminder from 20 years ago
On 26 Dec, we welcomed our kitten Zoe in the evening. We also threw a rollickingly good Boxing Day brunch.
The idea was to revive a ‘tradition’ from Canada where Christmas would be devoted to family, but Boxing Day? Oh that was prime time for those near and dear friends who are like family!
A friend’s Xmas feast that we joined
Feasting, feasting feasting!!
And what is family friend time like without a feast? So I encouraged folks to ‘box’ up their Christmas leftovers and bring to our home. As the day progressed, dish upon delicious dish piled up. To the point where both our living room and kitchen tables were groaning under the weight and even the kitchen counter and stove was bursting with fabulous food. (Shame on me! I was too busy socialising to take a pic!)
Most dishes needed heating, so between the stove and microwave, something sure was ‘cooking’ in the kitchen. At one point, my re-heating duties were taken over by a couple of friends and my partner’s mother’s helper. Not quite sure how it happened, but to cut a long story short, we literally managed to burn out the micro!
Now this is India… which means anything can be repaired. And sure enough, my very serviceable microwave can indeed be fixed. However the cost to replace the part blown is 4 times its re-sale value and inching close to that of buying a new cheap one. After a dozen years, we decided it was time to ‘upgrade’ and get a swank new microwave come grill come convection oven, donating our old micro to our driver who will be able to get it repaired or re-sell it.
So out with the old and in with the new! (more…)
Introducing Sunday Snaps
Over the last few years, I’ve snapped a lot of random pictures that capture a short story or glimpse into everyday life both in Bombay, in my travels around India and Asia.
Most of them end up my DropBox photos folder – neatly labeled by year, month and location. In short – stored but forgotten.
Then along came a notice warning me that my ‘free’ extra 48 GB was expiring. Dropping me from 57 GB of space to 9 GB. And my current ‘usage’ a whopping 43 GB. Oops!
Sure I could just dump everything on a hard drive and be done with it. However I decided to do a little photographic ‘spring cleaning’… deleting many, saving a few and selecting a choice pic or two to share these ‘everyday’ images.
Welcome to ‘Sunday Snap Stories’…. just an image (or two) with a simple thought (or story) to share a little insight into something you could stumble across around the corner from home in Bandra, Mumbai or traipsing around India.
First up? A typical Mumbai skyline shot of the Bandra-Worli SeaLink taken from a friend’s home.
PS This also celebrate’s Everyday Asia’s 300th post! Woo hoo!!
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Everyday Asia 