A Question of Sales in the Local Shops, in a Global Economy, and a Cultural, Social and Patriarchal Outlook, and Some Confusion!

Jiji was relaxing in the living room when she heard her old classmate call her,late in the afternoon. She was trying to share one experience with her friend that day. 

"Jiji, last Saturday, i went to a local shop in fashion and jewelry from ethnic styles, to purchase some pooja items for oncoming Shravan masam poojalu. I did not plan to spend a lot. I just took some four pieces, although I only needed one or two, of one yard pooja cloths which are made from rayon or other art stuff. They were together billed for 25 USD or so. However, The shop owner, was not happy, if I was doing a small purchase. He went on showing all stuff, using all his tactics, saying that I do not have to buy if I do not want to, and spreading a bunch of goods to be purchased, for vayanalu, (gifts) ammavaru alankarana, etc. I ended up spending $150.00 for some 10-11 pieces of small gift items, a bunch of art jewelry for the Goddess, etc, he would say I must buy one gram gold jewelry also, because it is gold and went on saying I should buy two of them for the festival coming up, because they are on deal. I did not have to spend more than $10-$15 .00 but he uses all his marketing strategies by hiking up prices, and pretending to be selling for almost throw away prices. I used my cc to do the transactions, as it was quite a bit, and in summer, we do not get any classes, so my funds were quite limited. 
All the while he did not say anything about return policies, but I remember, once when I had to return something, I did get my money back some 26 dollars or so.. 
This morning I sent a message that i would like to return some of the items, he says,I can only exchange for goods, even the the card was still saying transaction was pending, and the items are just lying in the bag, untouched, after I returned home on Saturday evening, past 8:00 PM.
Their policy of posing in the benefit of the best interest of the customer, to force them psychologically to buy products not required, and irregular prices, I do not think is a winning answer to a business..." She paused.  She said, she posted it on social media too.. For which she received likes from some people, who value, regardless. She went on telling that it is not

 just that, the shop owner was even trying to talk about the number of times he sold her  the sarees on short term credit, earlier, with trust, and was sounding like threatening. He would leave her a message on the answering machine, saying,' lets RESOLVE.' He was angry that, she did not take his permission to post it on the social media, (duh) and he went on calling, one too many times, leaving her text messages, that his method of business and marketing practices were great. Where as it appeared they were more like pinching out of ones savings," she said.

Jiji smiled at her friend. All she said was, "next time, you should remember not to fall for sweet talk, instead concentrate on the things, that you need. It is an open market, you should know, when not to fall trap for such wasteful expenditures."

"However, the shop owner would further, lose his businesses, if that is the attitude he has." Said Jiji, and continued, "this is a free country, no body needs to threaten anyone. If anyone threatens or behaves rudely, they could be inviting trouble for themselves. " 

Jiji also said, on learning, how her close members and associates behaved as a result of the posting on social media, "it is natural in a patriarchal society, to snub the women, and not let them express their opinion, even with public interest." She learnt that her friend, eventually deleted some of the postings she made on social media, because her husband, went on expressing his disagreement, that she should not post about such a business as they know the person as a salesman, outside their showroom too. She also found some third parties express their displeasure about the situation, and silent treatment, by posting and sharing things like, 'only incapable people try to express disapproval or disagreement. Others would support them, etc.'

Now, the question is who is considered to be right, each person has their own vested interest also, as they all purchase items of culture and traditions, from this growing capitalist, monopolizing the community, who wants to hike up prices as and how he pleases, and also exploit the situation, because, no one else would cater to supplying all the ethnic, cultural and social needs..! If any sensible guy is reading, they would understand that it is only fair for the society to bring out a competitor! In fact across the next neighborhood, there are some others, who have started their business, but they are not much different from any of the guys around the local areas. It is true they are catering to specific cultural groups, keeping up the traditions, but it is also, exorbitant, outside, in the open market, to buy something that crosses seven seas before coming into the market!

This is where, Global economy plays a role by reaching to the consumer, by networking, and communicating by all media and also using all the tools, such as face to face, interpersonal, word of mouth, publicity and advertising, about their businesses and services, increasing economy and a self sustainable society. Music lessons, art forms, socialising, you name it, all are possible in a global society to reach audience in any corner of the society. Greatness!

Jiji was thinking further, and looking at the irony in the situation! It is true, her friend did not want to hurt her husband, by letting him think,

 that she did not listen to his advise to delete the postings, and so deleted every one of them that were possible to delete! Oh yes she also made sure, she copied the information before deleting and saving it to share in a different form. She knows, those words, would remind her of a quotation Dr. Chitra Divakaruni shares! It was about, being careful with a writer, because, if they are not, their words and their actions would find a place in the write ups, and let the world be aware of how things are going on. Yes, each word will reach the world and more.. And more!

Aah, the social expectations about how women should behave, even when they perceive incongruence, inequality, and biases; they are expected to just take it..(sic) yeah, right baby! Jiji thought, because women are not dumb, if any, and know how to share knowledge, information, and shine! Don't you all agree! Duh. Haha! However, Jiji was considering, there must be an error, because the shop her friend was referring to was run by a gentleman, an ardent devotee. There must be a mistake definitely. 

It was not too long, before she heard back from her friend again. "Jiji, " her friend called, "I think there was an error my friend,"she said. "I need to apologise, you know the shop owner of the art jewelry and other artifacts and ethnic fashion clothe store owner, is decent. He is a gentleman, with good business skills. In fact the art jewelry he recommended sits on the Archa murthy idols so perfect, I am going to recommend his work to everyone. Specially, my husband was so pleased, looking at the garlands, jewelry, fitting perfectly to the God's idols, that the entire Altar was shining with brilliance. I recommend his customer relation to all! He is a nice person, takes good care of his customers, goes extra mile to provide the goods that they need for any or all ethnic and cultural activities. He is a respectable gentleman, with good business skills. There is a mistake, as there is no reason for one to complain. I take back the complaint I had, as it is only fair that we respect such a great entity, and the person who is going extra mile to make all the stuff available, even in a different nation, away from homeland! " she paused. 

Jiji, heard it all, and said, "my dear, it is always good to wait before you flare up and express your opinion, that could be negative, after consideration. Are you seeing your doctor, and therapist regularly!" 

"Oh, yeah, I am. In fact, I think I am improving pretty much and staying balanced!" Sara, her friend said. 

Jiji knew, she is telling truth, but there may definitely have been a mistake, when she flared up so much..."my dear, please take good care of your health. Not all times are easy to recorrect. Be well." 

Jiji was thinking, it is important to know truth from untruth, before delivering any message. 

***.   ****   ****

"Sara," called Jiji on phone, just so she could talk to her. 

"What is it, Jiji?" asked Sara.

"Well, just checkin' to see, how ya doin'?"

"I am ok, Jiji"replied Sara.

"Sara, tell me whats going on, you sound rather dull." Said Jiji.

"You know, Jiji, in fact I am" 

"Oh yea? Why so?" Asked Jiji.

"I was just thinking, the message I posted in a certain group mail.. It is not so much that what I told was fiction or imagination. I did not want someone to suffer consequences, because of something I pointed out. In fact, transactions in business are not always carved in stone. However, the shop owner requested that I remove it, so, I took it upon me. Instead, I should have just said, that I am not interested in proceeding further in this direction, and left it there." Sara replied.

Jiji smiled again, "O Sara, don't worry! You are not the person running the world, remember, the world has its own life. People are wise and can make their own judgments! You do not control their thought processes! They can see for themselves, what is right, and what is different! I would not worry about it. All I care right now is that, you are ok, and you are not hurting. It is just fine, my dear. If any one is doing right, no amount of saying otherwise would blemish anything they do. It is not upto you, how the world goes. I would have a fresh cup of tea, relax and wish everyone well!"

Jiji, was pouring herself some hot tea from her favorite orange kettle in her tall, flowery mug from Whole Food Stores, and remembered, how it went in different parts, with that food store chain, just a few months back... as her lips curved in a smile..!