Murthy haggles with the auto-ric driver
Friday, March 16, 2012 at 7:45AM ;)
We were scheduled to board the bus from Ahmadebad to Udaipur at 11:30 PM, so we had this auto-ric driver transport us from the hotel to the bus stop at 10:30 PM. The fare was 300 rupees, which Murthy paid. This did not make the driver happy. At this late hour, he argued, the 150 percent rule kicks in, which would make it 450 rupees.
No, Murthy told him, he knew for a fact that in Ahmadebad, the 150 percent rule did not kick in until after 11:00 PM.
This caused the driver to put on a wronged face.
After a sufficient pout, the driver sprung back to life, arguing for the 150 percent fare.
;)
"No! No! No!" Murthy argued.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" the driver demanded.
;)
"Twenty more rupees then," the driver sought a grand compromise. "Just 20 more rupees!"
Murthy agreed. He paid him 20 more rupees.
Our bus did not arrive until 1:00 AM. We boarded and then had to sit in stifling heat for what felt like another hour as we listened to the sound of wrenches and hammers as some kind of repair was made.
Once we got going and air started moving through the bus, it was okay, the seat surprisingly comfortable, good for napping. I had an incredible, realistic, dream that I wish could have been real, but it was just a dream.
We arrived in Udaipur shortly after sunrise, so everything is good.
Reader Comments (4)
Did that incredible, realistic, dream involve FOOD? :-)
In a jeweller's shop in Izmir in Turkey I once spent a very pleasant four hours haggling over the price of a ring. Coffee was served after the first hour and this was a good sign; he was taking me seriously and listening to my points. In Turkey, the pout and arm waving are considered very bad form, at the bottom of the list along with voice raising and stamping. With such poor technique it comes as no surprise that after haggling for an extra 50% he settled for less than six.
I bet your dream was about flying!
That's really funny! We end up bargaining because they never stick to the price.