Living With People Social Interaction in Restaurants Jayashree V
‘Come to Ishwarya Mess!’ said the artist. ‘It’s the best place to eat in town!’ He stood there, waiting for me to follow him. I didn’t know if I could trust him. I went anyway.
‘We have only idli and vada. I hope that is all right.’
‘We run Ishwarya Mess as a family- my son, my daughter-in-law and myself. Sometimes we even send my granddaughter on errands to buy fish.’
‘Occasionally the tailor gives me scraps of waste cloth that I can put in the fire for more heat. It really helps us save wood.’
‘The eatery has only wooden bars to separate itself from my shop. It makes it easy for me to join any conversation the customers are having while I stitch clothes.’
‘I do not work here- I own a small jewellery shop nearby. I’m related to the owner so my friends and I help him manage the restaurant sometimes.’
‘Don’t worry, you won’t be late for school. You can wait here till the bus arrives.’
‘Never mind him. He just comes to wash his face every morning and leaves without a sound. Sometimes we even give him food.’
‘Enough of our discussion. The money will come when it has to. Now why don’t we go in and have breakfast?’
‘The new folks seem to be creating quite the ruckus.’ ‘Can you understand what they are saying?’ ‘No, not a word.’
‘This place is the best in town.’ ‘Is that so?’ ‘Yes. By the way, do you know I can speak all Indian languages?’
‘She has a very interesting name.’ ‘What is it?’ ‘ “Kuzhandai”. It means “baby” in Tamil. She is our slowest eater.’
‘The owner’s daughter is the most brilliant child I have ever met.’ ‘I realised. The mess is named after her, is it not?’ ‘Yes. I wish I had a student like her in my class.’
‘I don’t draw much nowadays for there is nothing interesting in art anymore. Everyone has computers. We are no longer needed.’
‘My own son tried to kill me.’
‘What will these people do for food during Pongal? All the shops will be shut.’ ‘I don’t know. Let’s arrange something for them.’
‘As the owner, I ensure that all my customers have eaten. Only then do I set a plate aside for myself.’
‘KDR restaurant is the only place where you can get ginger coffee.’ ‘I’ve heard of ginger tea. But ginger coffee?’ ‘Trust me, it’s true.’
‘This is KDR restaurant’s chef. He keeps to himself all the time.’
‘Tell us what exactly you have ordered. You can’t expect us to remember everything.’
‘Not much conversation happens at PVR restaurant, between the owner and customer. It’s so impersonal and sad.’
‘We are always ordered around and shouted at by our employer. We can’t afford to slack off.’
‘Bring me that parcel! I need to see if you have packed it right!’
‘Switch the TV on for Sir!’
‘We stocked up on fizzy drinks just for you!’
‘So you are back to Ishwarya Mess. Can I take your usual order?’ ‘Yes. This feels more like family.’ ‘I see. Well, it is unfortunate that this is your last breakfast here.’