Mothers of daughters -to -be married can be more courteous.
A friend in Chennai with prior appointment went to meet a woman in Mambalam after his son and her daughter, both working abroad, had telephonic contacts and the boy suggested his father meet the girl’s mother and proceed with the negotiation for the alliance. The present day practice is the boy and girl meet, date, decide on their wedding and then inform the parents, requesting to come and bless them. Some smart kids inform their parents only after kids are born to them! But in the above case, the boy decided to go by the conventional path of parents meeting first. The girl agreed, on phone, as they hadn’t met face to face.
The boy’s father, let us call him Seshu, spoke to the girl’s mother, got appointment, went with some fruits as is the custom, at the exact time prefixed .
The woman, (let us call her madam to suit her rich appearance,) collected the fruits and directed Seshu mama: “I’m busy for another two hours. My father in the next room will entertain you, in the meantime”.
Seshu said, ‘madam, I’m here with prior appointment and at the exact time prescribed by you. I’m here to talk to you about the alliance of my son and not to get entertained by your father, who is possibly of my age or perhaps older. If you suggest, I will talk to your father about the alliance ‘
‘No, mama. What does my father know about my daughter’s requirements? It is me, not even my husband, to decide about my daughter’s marriage’.
‘Good. You want me to come another day?’
‘No, mama. Wait for a short while. I will be back quickly’
Seshu waited and waited. Madam didn’t call him. He thanked the old man for his valuable advice on ‘sthree dharmams’,. The entertainment was no more endurable ,as the old man had started snoring . Seshu collected his bag and took leave of the madam, saying, ‘we will meet on our grand child’s first birthday in Boston.’
Madam was shocked!
‘Mama, wait please. Please come in. Tell me what is happening behind my back in Boston’
‘Nothing much madam. The day temperature is -4 deg. C. What happens at night, I don’t know ‘