Dear Man who cuts my hair in the salon (Sorry Hair Stylist),

I must applaud your persistence  In the 8 odd years I have been coming to you to get my hair cut, trimmed, colored, bleached, coal tared,  ghastlied, you have constantly and patiently suggested so many ways and means to get me to look 25. And to my credit I have always told you I never liked 25 much. It was a very dull and boring time in my life. I was busy building a career and had no life. Anyway to get to the point as I have told you time and again I am happy being in my swinging 30's, so please don't send me back to my staid 20's.

I must also applaud you for the timing of your 'Madam try our 10 years younger facial package.' It is invariably brought up when I am sitting in front of 8 mirrors, in bright light with half wet hair, feeling like a guinea pig. In fact I am so used to your spiel now that I know exactly what is coming when. First the get younger facials, then the pore minimizing cream with the new age blah blah exonomiothaziniate (or some such thing), then the Kareena Kapoor Mac compact and finally the de-stressing spa package.

On a few occasions I have tried tackling the problem by wearing glasses and carrying a book while I got a haircut. I kept my nose stuck in the book while my hair was being cut, refusing to look at pores and signs of ageing in 8 mirrors. Of course after the session you promptly suggested the carrot facial package which will also strengthen my eyes and make my free from glasses. Since after all 'Madam glasses are also a sign of ageing.' Sigh, man I love my glasses, and it took me a long time to get them.

I am actually tempted to take one of your packages for 8 years of persistent efforts and because occasionally your nagging reminds me of my mom.

To sign off dear man, here is some gyaan from Coco Chanel of Chanel number 5 no less - She says nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at 50.

Best,
Me@35


   

Right or Wrong

My son's eight year old friend found a twenty rupee note lying on the road and immediately declared, 'This goes in my piggybank.' My son meanwhile felt it is not really his, so it would be morally wrong to go with the rest of his money in the piggybank. After a heated argument with 'finders-keepers' vs 'this is stealing' I was called in to suggest an appropriate solution. It is not easy being an authority on these issues, more so when - 'Why don't we google and check', was also one of the options suggested, which I quickly scuttled.

Strangely, I have never found any money lying on the road - of course partly due to the fact that I am careless, and probably one of those people who drop some of those notes which others eventually find. But that set me thinking, 'What would I do if I found some money?' I would not put it in my piggybank as it just seems fundamentally wrong to keep money which is not rightfully mine. I would probably donate it, that way at least I would live with a clear conscience and it would/could (should one hopes) be used for a worthy cause. Though, as the kids helpfully pointed out - 'But mummy who will come to take a twenty rupee donation?' I could also give it to one of those (unfortunately) all pervasive traffic light beggars.  But that would be wrong and it would seem like I am condoning something wrong. Another quick, seemingly right and convenient option would be it handing over to the apartment security. In my apartment, jewellery or money accidentally dropped is reported to the security who return it, if they find it. But given the triviality of the amount who would report it lost and who would return it. However, I could just give it to them as my charitable 'chai-paani' gesture. Or I could just take the easy way out - leave it lying on the road - let someone else get lucky or unlucky - depending on the way you see it.

Anyway, the latest update is, the money is in the friend's piggy bank. His grand mother said it was perfectly right, since it is his money now. My son meanwhile has declared his friend is likely to grow up and become a 'wrong person.'