Guess what folks? I got a swanky new farm house, and I want the world to know it. Big deal if I took a loan, borrowed some demonetized money from kind friends or emptied my bank savings. Nobody needs to know this bit. But I guess I do want that funky gal “What’s her name” yeah, the one I befriended on Facebook, to know, because …Oh well. Just because!
Keeping up with the Jonses, errr I mean the Puneri Joshis or Patils is a desire that is highly rampant today. This is the sacred slogan of the era.
Whether you can afford it or not, it’s not hard to miss the many that follow the concept of Buy Buy Luxury, Bye Bye Money! On this visit back home in Pune, I could not help but observe the “arrived in life” attitude.
The balding but heavily bearded man at a popular FC Road café looked around before he began his cell phone conversation. Phone conversations especially in crowded places like restaurants can be annoying especially when meant for others to hear. “I’ll pick you up in my new OODI”, he squawked in high decibels. When he repeated the word “Oodi” for the third time, we finally figured he meant his new Audi. He looked our way and smiled at us perhaps wondering if we had pegged him at the status he so desired.
Fast cars not fast food. As our car waited at the signal, I noticed a group of youngsters in a spanking new BMW. The driver screeched to a halt at the stop sign, an action which had almost everybody on the road look his way. Windows rolled down for the duration of the traffic stop while ear piercing loud music blared from fancy speakers. An elderly man peeped out from the next car and got the attention of the youth in the driver’s seat. He joked aloud by asking him to play a Hindi classic instead, so that he could enjoy the music. Boom! Shattered egos didn’t look good!
Fast paced, drink laced and straight faced. “Meet me at the bar at 9 pm. My friends want to meet you.” I overheard this conversation by a young denim-clad lad . The bar in question was a trendy hot-spot in a 5 star hotel. The young girl responded in the affirmative but questioned whether they would have any money left for dinner after that! Yes, said the denim boy, he’d keep aside the balance for some street food. All this, possibly after tipping the valet more than what his wallet could afford.
Shopping for luxury clothes and goods in malls has become a favorite past time with many even if they can ill afford it. Toting a brand name shopping bag is a style statement and not many lose the opportunity to post a selfie on social media.
Instant gratification. I want it and I want it now. Doesn’t matter if I don’t need it, I must have it! Such is the lure of the good life that affects the young and not so young today. Living with a false sense of wealth and security while going beyond themselves and financial resources has become an obsession.
Honey, I’ve got the money! So when I gazed at the couple who were proclaiming undying love for each other on what appeared to be their first date, I wondered if it was because of the moola or the fella. Which set me thinking, if they had to compose the words of their song today, The Beatles would have to do it differently. Because apparently.. Money can buy you love!
Quintessentially Puneite, Nikhila now lives in New York, but that doesn't stop her from coming back to enjoy a good drink and celebrate this city she calls home
- Mere Paas Facebook Hai ! - February 24, 2017
- Of Pouts and Snouts - February 17, 2017
- Honey, I’ve got the money! - February 11, 2017
