Some seize when they 'size'

I have to stop coming up with titles that rhyme!

I don't know what strikes you when you read this title (excuse me for going on and on, about it but I thought hard to come up with this one) , but I can assure you , although it might make no sense at first, things will fall into place..ummm..probably once you chew on it for a while;-)

I have written a few posts about my childhood memories and especially the ones with my maternal cousins in Chennai. I used to look forward to all the visits and every day spent there was a treasured memory. No exaggerations. Back then, I hated Bangalore (I can't get myself to call it Bengaluru even now) specially because we were alone here - no cousins, aunts, grandmother! During one of the summer vacations, all my relatives from Chennai decided to visit Bangalore (being the cooler city and all that) for a change. When I say all, I mean 3 aunts, 2 uncles, grand-parents and 5 kids! (I may have forgotten a few - I was only 10-11). They were taking an overnight train to Bangalore. The train that left Chennai had a major glitch and just 1 &1/2 hour into the journey, it derailed. There were zero casualties! Arrangements were made to send all passengers back to Chennai Central and board the next train to Bangalore or an early morning passenger. My grandfather took a swift decision. He decided not to return to Chennai but , get to Bangalore  at any cost - even in taxis/ cabs if it came down to that. He knew that excitement levels would be at an all-time low both in Chennai & Bangalore if the plans underwent a drastic change. So they took cabs to the nearest town , proceeded to take a bus to Bangalore and reached our home without losing any kid. When I recollect this, I am STILL jealous I wasn't destined to be a part of that adventurous midnight gang!! Can't blame me - I've had such drab and boring train journeys; not a single fun-filled one. No derailing, delays, train-jackings (is there a word), absolutely noone interesting (fat nosy aunties who will proceed to extract my bio-data and horoscope within 5 minutes into the journey starting with - 'tamizh-aa?' ,  'studying-aa?' )! Even thinking about it makes me yawn!! 

Once the entire gang reached, all the adults proceeded to gossip. The 'Bratty' bunch of course had an incredible re-union ; my brother (a little kid) , my cousins ( all in the age group of 3 - 14 ) and I wandered around our housing colony while I proudly introduced my cousins to the security guard, gardener, carpenter and some neighbours. My dad's colleague , a very fun-loving uncle whom I was fond of came in at that time for some work. G uncle was dressed in formal wear - shirt, trousers, shoes and a tie. The moment I spotted him, I summoned all my followers cousins and we trooped inside the house to give G uncle a taste of our madness. My youngest cousin brother K was only 4 then I think and arguably the most mischevious. My own brother gave him stiff competition. K never had any inhibitions ever and even today, he has none whatsoever!! G uncle was intimidated when he saw so many kids and decided to sit quietly  around my dad only. K observed him for some time. He was thoroughly intrigued , walked right upto innocent uncle who was busy talking to my dad and yanked G uncle's tie hard !!!  K was thoroughly perplexed as he expected the tie to come off in his hand. For all of us (kids), this was a joke  which could be passed off as a brave prank. All the adults were embarrassed beyond words, hurried to apologize and my mother clarified that K had never seen anyone wearing a tie. The sight of that tie had caught his fancy more than anything else. G uncle, once out of the momentary shock at being harrassed by a 2 feet tall kid laughed it off nervously. 

Story over!! Now I'll come to the point (my brain is cooked these days and I blame it all on work). The whole purpose of all this lambi-chaudi kahaani ( unbearably long story ) was to ponder over what we, as kids/adults observe in a person when we meet them first. When I was in college and anyone asked me this, I wanted to sound intelligent. I remember giving answers such as ' umm..when they smile, it should reach their eyes' or 'oh yeah, most certainly their footwear' !! I have a huge grin as I recollect this and apply it to my current state of mind. If someone who just met me, smiled  broadly at me, I'd scowl back (specially if its a guy). Footwear - not unless they are wearing yellow stilettos I'm afraid ! Its human nature to observe people closely but I don't think I can pin it down to any one particular feature and apply it to everyone I meet like a tried and tested formula. I am not referring to the George Clooneys and Katrina Kaifs who make heads turn. Ordinary people - You and me. Bad behaviour or foul manners get noticed in a jiffy of course and therein comes my next thought - all about that grand first impression. I won't repeat that cliched statement that we all know,  since I find it over-rated and preachy. When you meet someone  (a chance encounter) would you honestly even think about 'making' an impression? I refrain from mentioning job interviews, seminars, official presentations, arranged marriage meetings etc because in all those situations, whether you like it or not the brain is conditioned to make a favourable impression at least.

Out of curiosity, I did ask a few friends of mine whether I made any impression on them the very first time I met them. Absolutely not, they all concluded much to my dismay. I expected the response as I am not a jumpy-friendly sort of person from the word go. I speak only when spoken to and although not snobbish, I would call myself a tad distant.So much for my dramatic end to the post. My name on the other hand never fails to raise eyebrows and more so, when my roots are revealed. Try it out with your friends and you might get some interesting responses (might be luckier than me in any case). I  am deliberately avoiding bloggers ( have never been to any blogger meets ) since we are not talking about the virtual world at all (that, my friends ,would be a different theory put forth by lostworld sometime in the future). Oh and what do you notice when you meet a person first?  It might seem a very personal question to some and the choice to share or ignore it remains yours and only yours!

Thought I'd let you know. I'm all sorted out now. If anyone asks me this question, I've decided to let go of inhibitions and say ' Teeth of course, to see whether they are brushed well' !! 

How I wish I could do a cousin K and seize the colourful beaded goatee if I  met Capt. Jack Sparrow (picture - Johnny Depp).