Thursday, December 6, 2007

Bribe.

This incident happened yesterday to somebody I know. Let's call him N.

N and his friend were on a two-wheeler on their way to lunch. They were stopped by a cop, for routine license & registration check. Once done with the routine, the cop as usual managed to find something to pick on and demand money.

N [handing out a 20 rupee note]: Sir, we only have this much.
Cop: What!! Only 20 rupees...hmm.. where are you guys going ?
N: To have lunch sir.
Cop: Whaat maa, you are saying you are going for eating lunch...with only 20 rupees..aa...
N: No sir, for that we have coupons.
Cop: What coupons...
N: Sir, Sodexo coupons, most hotels accept coupons these days.
Cop: Oh ish it ? Where you got it ? Show me..
N [pulling out the coupon book] : Sir, our company gives us, every month. This is practiced in most companies. It's like money, works in hotels and supermarkets only for food items.
Cop [Examining the Sodexo coupon and the various denominations, pulls out four 50 rupee coupons] : hmmm....here..now go.
N: Sir...
Cop: Go maa..go maa....we usually don't accept all these coupons...but, I am letting you guys go... [shameless smile and pockets the coupons]

8 comments:

  1. ho ho! so its sodex ho - pass, all the way :))

    i've been through numerous times when i have had to do it. sometimes, i have succumbed. on most other times though, i have stood my ground. we give them an opportunity to demand a bribe only when we ourselves have broken the rules, and have no option but to go thru the long arm of the law, or escape with a tip :)

    and - iwobm - thanks so much for the wonderful comments you always leave. i don't think i deserve it all, but well, your presence is is treasured !

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  2. and since u tell me in one of your comments that you come looking for stuff - well, just wanted to tell u that i have posted, although a slightly incoherent one :)

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  3. :) ...
    Real Chennai moment. beautifully captured.

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  4. First time here..Its sad state of affairs as far as bribes are concerned.Sometime back I had a similar episode and I poured it out in my Blog too..Good you did..Please visit my blog if you have the time
    TC
    CU

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  5. DB,

    Lol. I read through your experiences too. True, we actually give them a chance, most times.

    ..and I did read your post, man, some thank you post it is, I need to thank you for exposing so many wonderful bloggers out there.

    Madura,
    Thanks & welcome here :)

    CU,
    Agree, yeah this is one nice space to share just about everything. Am coming...!

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  6. Hm. What bothers me is, what if there were no coupons, and these guys had little over the lunch money: say, lunch money + 20 rupees. Cop would have taken it all, and have them go hungry?!

    Merciless cop! :((

    Priya.
    P.S: Happy New Year!

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  7. Priya,

    Cops are sometimes like that. They probably think in their minds, if I am to keep thinking of society and others all the time, who's going to think of 'me'.

    Whatever, Happy New Year!

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  8. Hilarious!! Irritating beggars those cops are :)

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