Are you Indian?

We always dread going grocery shopping to 'Wholesome Choice', a Persian supermarket nearby, inspite of the fact that they sell good stuff, especially Indian vegetables, at very reasonable prices - Reason, The place is infested with 'Amway guys' (Lets call them AG, in short). Who exactly are AGs, you may ask, and why dread them? Well, they are mostly American settled Desi's who approach other desi's (innocent, and gullible ones like us!) and solicit them to buy Amway or similar products. What's their gain? Increased profit and income if they refer more people to the Amway chain. Basically a pyramid scheme. They always hunt for their quarry as couples and sometimes hunt in packs of couples. Every grocery trip for them is a search for prey. With this background of AG's, we would like to share with you, our experience at Wholesome Choice last week.

It was a bright Saturday afternoon. We finished our shopping in half an hour and were walking towards our car. We were happy with the fact that we hadn't fallen into the Amway trap. Just as we were discussing this, a middle-aged couple walked towards us with huge smiles on their faces. The rest of the experience is in dialogue form:

Time: 3:45 PM

Amway Guy(AG) in a sweet tone: Where can I find an Indian restaurant closeby?
Us: Well, you gotta drive down Culver until you hit 5 freeway. India Cook House comes on your left. (Not realizing that they must've been around for atleast a decade!).
AG: Oh really?! Thanks!

AG starts the regular small talk trying to get more information out of us.

AG: So how long have you guys been around here?
Us: Quite some time... Nandu and Petu had already detected the Amway scent, and didn't sound too interested in talking to them.
Amway lady (AG's wife, AL), looking at Petu : So are you Indian?
Petu: No, I am French! With a BIG grin!
AL: Haha.. Nice sense of humor!
AG: So do you guys work?
Nandu: Do you think the US Govt. would sponsor our stay here? Well, we thought of saying this but then Nandu replied saying he works for so and so company..

Meanwhile, AL: So where in India are you from?
Petu: I am from Bangalore.
AL: Really? I have heard that it a beautiful place.. My sister stays there.
Petu: 'Beautiful?' - Not after the monsoons, atleast!
AG: So looks like you guys dont have kids.. Must be having a lot of free time? Starts talking about Amway.
Nandu: Well, we gotta be going now, ncie talking to you guys (GULP!!!!)
AG, AL (With disgust): Oh damn!! Another slippery fish!


Time: 4:05 PM
Day: Saturday, thank God for that!

We realized that we had wasted a whole 20 mins in talking nonsense with the AG's. What a waste of time! This was one experience which taught us never to believe sweet-sounding people who go out of the way to please you. Sad part is that this is a sure dampener for socializing efforts in the community at grocery stores. Before you could finish "excuse me..." as an opening, you can see the indians wince and turn away. And we are sure AGs screw their own social life, their friends could be no other than other AGs. What a waste!!
Enuff said. But, if you stop by 'Wholesome Choice' and come across someone who asks you "Are you Indian?", dont forget to ask him - "Are you AMWAY?!" before sprinting away.