The humidity was unbearable. The sun was scorching. I was on an unrevealing quest for the best dosa place. These factors led me to Chennai when I was there for an important gig. The heat was unbearable. Yet, what frustrated me the most was the language barrier. I couldn’t ask the local daily vendors for a good dosa place within walking distance. Somehow, I arrived at the spot to enjoy some delicious food.
Being Tamil, locals took pride in their language. They didn’t respond to my greetings or talk in English or Hindi. I checked out the menu board at the top of the shop and tried to order a dosa. I wanted to order a medium-spiced dosa for takeaway. I ordered the same in English, but the shop owner looked at me angrily. I thought I made a mistake. To clear up the confusion, I decided to explain it to him.
The dual language of English and Hindi didn’t help me explain my takeaway. He refused to know any language and didn’t understand. I desperately tried hand gestures and sign language to make him understand. After seeing my performance, he didn’t say a single word but laughed out loud.
The other staff also made funny faces throughout the whole scene. The owner had a spooky face. He glanced at me intently. Then he said, with a heavy North Indian accent, “Bahut badhiya.” I was dumbstruck!
The gentleman introduced himself as Mr. Singh, a Rajasthani who has lived in Chennai for over three to four decades. I asked why he had hidden it in the first place. He told me he wanted to see how far I would go to eat a dosa.
Then, the gentleman imparted a vital life lesson to me. He said, “Son, don’t assume things in life. Life is beautiful, and people are unpredictable. But with the flow of time, everything comes to its destination, so don’t be impatient. Language is just a way of expression—that’s it—nothing less, nothing more! You show kindness, gratitude, and empathy through your actions, and words are just words! “
He probably waited a long time. He wanted to pass on his knowledge, his life lessons, and a touch of his humor. And lucky me!
The Witty Stride 