Watch the Bags or Clutch Bags and Enjoy the Game
Dinesh K Kapila
Well this post actually flows from an observation on a small piece on my blog - My Varied Laws. It’s at https://dkkviews.blogspot.Com and I am reproducing a part here for understanding what it’s all about. The observation by by my reader is that -
… to follow the laws ., then how we can lead a smooth life on earth… just to watch clutch or bags 
Kapila’s Law of Handbags
They have gone nuts. The pricier, the better. And obviously the richer you are. Each square inch could cost a bar of silver. But now a days ladies notice first the clutch or the bag and then the rest of the carefully put together get up. On each other.
Kapila’s Law of Dieting and Clothes.
Don’t throw away the older trousers and shirts. Store them for when you bounce back. Permanent victories are rare.
Kapila's Law of Recalling Old School Mates
This applies to the guys. In any given scenario, at any reunion, specially virtual, in the recall of school mates, specially girls, by the guys of that time, the dainty and the prettier ones are recalled first.
Well, it’s not just watching the bags, the part to enjoy is when the ladies size each other up at any function. a quick glance at the dress and then look away, then a second quick glance at the accessories and the survey completed, the hugs and compliments are proceeded with. It’s all so sweet and well subtly competitive and it can make or mar an evening for many a young or even matronly lady. Alongside many who claim to have a bad memory can often recall if a dress or accessory has been repeated !! And even the date of the function !! So enjoy the game, sit on the sidelines and watch and eavesdrop on the quiet questions too which are exchanged. The politeness often masks the competitiveness.
And then there is often an opportunity to apply this socially useful knowledge though I really could not care.
A State Government (no specific names will be there) on a sudden whim decided to have a rather modernistic rural countryside with an idyllic serene setting. Settlements and all. Obviously someone up the ladder had a thought and now it was time to explore. Maybe a consultancy. So a senior bureaucrat convened a meeting.
I attended, now this was a few years back, with two colleagues. We debated as to what they would seek or require, the cost of a study and what not plus thinking if we could suddenly graduate to the scenic farms and cottages of Europe.
On the appointed day we arrived a little early and settled down in the waiting room. I noticed the young smart lady sitting there already, self assured and absorbed in herself. She looked quietly at us and then went back to her mobile phone. Now a self assured, gracious and smart lady would always catch my attention and I thought who she was and noticing she was already sitting there earlier wondered would she delay our meeting.
Well I then noticed her bag as she looked for something and the LV stood out!! Well well I thought, must be an entrepreneur and quietly noted the value of all the brands she was wearing! It was a largish number and that made me think what was she doing in a non glamorous Department as the Rural Development is.
It’s a good pastime in any case. Plus I just always wonder does the value of the bag and the sunglasses and the shoes signify success or an enjoyment of wealth or is it to differentiate oneself from the others. No matter what the bag may cost at the retail end, ultimately leather is leather and how much superior can the leather be !! And then the finishing and the stitching just cannot cost that much. The Brass Letters, sometimes emblazoned, sometimes discreet are the real mark up. It’s a solid return on capital to the luxury brands.
I think it’s like the Generals and Admirals, they have the stars and the flags, the ladies have the bags or clutches and the brass or maybe gold plated initials or symbol of the brand. In fact a lady could often be in a branded shirt, branded trouser, branded clutch, branded footwear and with only branded make up ! All costing a bomb.
Well, as I remember, the PS to the Senior Bureaucrat called us in and as we three got up, well so did the young lady! That surprised the three of us, we exchanged glances and went in.
Well we had our meeting and we were surprised as just after the introduction from the senior officer, the young lady took over and started outlining a vision of a rather divine picture of large villages to be redeveloped. Well well I thought, she is playing an active role but has she even visited a large village.
Well we agreed to meet again and as we exited I told the Director Rural Development (from my college but years junior), who was she (woh kon thi). He said there were three ladies present but I told him you know exactly what I mean. Well she turned out to be from a leading consultancy and educated abroad and well connected too.
Next we met, the younger of the officers accompanying me observed in Hindi very quietly, Sir, the bag is different this time but it’s an equally expensive brand. Well last time after we retuned our debriefing had included my inputs on the cost of the young lady’s branded outfit. We were improving our general knowledge I thought !!
Well in the second meeting I decided to play my game ! As the young lady took charge again with the Senior Bureaucrat sitting back I intervened and proceeded to compliment her on the great vision she had for our villages including parks and lakes and maybe as she emphasised even boating and benches and gyms. She was slightly discomfited. Then I went on to say she with her vision had to be from the Premier Service of Bureaucrats, she said no, then maybe the State Civil Service, she quietly said no, well I added you must be a visionary Public Works Department Officer then ! The Senior Officer immediately intervened and stated really her cadre or department does not matter. I very innocently stated that I was only complimenting her and just wanted to know her a bit better. Well she herself answered rather defensively I am from such and such organisation and am working on the vision.
Well we all looked at the others and then after some discussions we decided to rework the issues. Then all others left and only the Senior Bureaucrat and we were left. Over tea he sort of inquired about my line of inquiry and I with a smile told him that the bag was the first give away and then the sunglasses !! He smiled, we smiled and we went our way. Most cordially and all smiles.
Bags as I say Bags, they speak a lot about the ladies As do costly belts around the waist for males and about that more in a later blog!
But I continue to enjoy my pastime and the education it imparts on our changing consumption patterns. And the need to preen and even subtly indicate the brand!
——//——-
Comments
Post a Comment