Paisa Vs Party

I went to my home recently on a long week end of four days. I enjoyed a lot by just eating, sleeping and watching TV (by the way, my Mom cooks non-vegetarian food very well). One fine morning, I heard my mom arguing with some one. I came out and saw her talking to a vegetable seller. “No madam I can’t give any more for 50paisa” said the seller. “I did not ask for 25 paisa worth coriander leaves… I have given you 50paisa and you have given only this much!!!” my mother replied. “How much do you expect for 50paisa, do you need the whole basket… mmm…” said the seller and gave some more coriander leaves and left the place. My mom felt happy. I asked her why she was arguing with the seller for so long time, that too for just 50paisa. “You neither know the cost of the coriander leaves nor the value of a rupee… you just keep quiet!” said my mom.

“Mohan! 20 rupees as a tip for a waiter… No!!! Two or five rupees would be sufficient… give change as tip i.e. coins not notes... Ok…You don’t know the value of a rupee…” said my mom at Malgudi (a south Indian restaurant). “Hello… it is just 11rupees 20paisa... why are you taking 15rupees” my dad shouted. “I have no change sir” said the auto driver. My father searched all his pockets and gave him 2rupee coin and asked him to give back 50paisa. “I don’t have 50paisa Sir” auto driver replied. “Why are you driving auto without change” said my dad and we left the place.

In all such scenarios I was telling them to take things easy. But they always restated one thing…“You don’t know the value of a rupee…” Not only my parents, you might have seen many parents telling the same to their children. Most of the times they are correct, some times they are not. One of my friends watched a movie on the first day. He bought ticket in black for 200rupees. After watching the movie, he said he wasted amount in watching a bad movie. Most of us watch movies buying tickets in black but our parents might not.

Gifts, parties, dressings and in many other things, we spend money just like that. At times I question myself “Am I a spendthrift or is it just because of raise in my standard of living?” Earlier I had parties very rarely. It might be a birthday party, New Year party or some thing else. But now… party – party – party. Week end party, onsite party, team party, friend’s party and at times party-JLT (Party just like that). If we start listing the way we have parties and the way we spend money, it goes on and on. I want to lessen spending money. (In fact my friends spend much more than me… I hope they realize soon). When our parents fight for paisa to paisa to save some amount and help us to have a good future, it is every ones duty to support them in having our future bright.