Skip to main content

Learning by absorbing

Yesterday was an eye opening day. Event was an unexpected behaviour from a teenager who is crazy about plants; particularly Bonsai.

UTK is more concerned about his plants on getting up than brushing his teeth. He has enriched his library with books on plants, does experiments with plants including grafting, pushing for aerial roots of many plants and so on.

On his school annual fest, he was truly amazed to see the variety of bonsai on display. He wanted to get at least one for home despite resistance from his family members who were already complaining about space taken by plants.

UTK "gently" persuaded to go and buy bonsai from the farm house who had come to the school exhibition. On selecting a particular piece, he asked " How much is this for? and, this one; and this one..."

He narrowed down his choice to two plants. One was at Rs 150 and the other at Rs 500. He was thrilled (as these were quoted at Rs 200 and 750 at the school festival) to find a bargain.

And then, to my utter surprise an alien behaviour started to unfurl. He started with the point that he has spent so much time and effort in locating this farm house and goes on to many more such "justifications". Final one that stumped me was "I am a child and I have to pay this out of my pocket money so please do the best". On this the gentleman said "Give me whatever you like!" UTK is quick on his heels and says Rs 50 (extremely pleased that he has got a discount of 75% on the school festival price) and the deal is done.

But the final stroke was still left.

UTK said, "Now the deal is done, tell me would you have agreed to any lesser price?"

I am still recovering from the shock as to how he learnt all this.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Is West leading the East? Ignorance can be a bliss!

There is a side effect of every medicine just as there are always pros and cons for every decision. Coupled with this, excess of anything is harmful. India has perhaps one of the largest numbers who can read/understand English. English is very closely associated with the "Developed World". Hence, our English media is greatly influenced by the "Developed World". It actually goes further from media to individuals. The more "cerebral and globally connected" individuals are all a ball of gloom. R written large on their faces and expressions. There are enough reasons given, even for India. - Current slowdown - Approaching elections - Job slashes - Next monsoons To me it is a clear sign of clouded mind. It is so visible in the English newspapers vs local language papers. Headlines in English media all talks about - losses, layoffs, slowing demand, US companies going down under etc. Language papers talk of recent elections and promises, banks slashing interest ra...

Power of observation

Mr Topiwala observed his niece being very interested in dressing up. He engaged in a discussion and came to understand a pain point of large number of Indian women. Something that women are very passionate, possessive about and have a very strong emotional bond, almost unbreakable bond. He created a new product that solved a huge effort and a recurring problem. And this was a self sticking, in varying sizes and design and in colours preferred by women, red and maroon. Since its launch in 1985, the brand is a huge dominant one in the market. Almost synonymous with the category. Companies would envy such a dominance. Over the years many innovations were brought about like iodine enriched, dermatologically tested and many more. 'Shilpa' bindis. An amazing story of a dominant brand that solves a real problem through acute observation. Would love to know of more such stories. #bindingmachine   #observation   #consumerneed   #businessmaze   #indianmaze 204-1-20

Mumbai Attack - citizens need to change

Worst ever attack on Indian soil. Touching the soul of ordinary citizens. With bomb blasts, train blasts and now this attack I think not a single family is untouched by the tragedy for there is someone known who has suffered at the hand of terrorists in these cases. Panic is hitting the streets. One of the junior of a friend lost life today, two cops known to a close friend lost their lives. A freind's wife was in complete hysteria last night when she heard Taj attack and her husband being in Taj for a function. She could not even hear when he called to say that he was in Taj Land's End in Bandra and not in Colaba. She kept on yelling "come back, come back". There has been non stop coverage in all TV channels across the country. What was happening at one of the leading newspaper in the capital whose editor decided that this news is good for a byline and anchor story has to be on Delhi elections? Citizens - both directly and through media should start pushing the syste...