Conversation between Vegetable Vendor & Customer
[Bargaining between a customer & shopkeeper]
Vegetable Vendor (Khan sahab): Top of the morning to you Bano Apa!
Customer (Bano Apa): Yes yes, it is a fiiiiiiiiiiine morning. (frustrated mood)
Vegetable vendor (Khan sahab): Not in a very sunny mood today are we, Bano apa? (Conversational
tone)
Customer (Bano apa): You know how it is. (Hmph)
Vegetable vendor(grin): There is really no cure to you two sister’s quarrels.
Customer (Bano Apa): Yes, yes. (shaking head)
Vegetable vendor: *(Hands waving towards the vegetables) *
So, what will you be having today? My boy just bought in your usual stock: fresh potatoes, onions and
your favourite carrots.
Customer (Bano Apa): Ooh, what are the going rates for carrots?
Vegetable vendor: 80/Rs per kg.
Customer (Bano Apa): Rs. 80???! Just 2 days ago I bought these for Rs.50!
Vegetable vendor (Khan Sahab): Apa, where are you living? Petrol just rose by Rs.146/litre yesterday.
Customer (Bano Apa): Oho, petrol. Vegetables. What link do they have?
Vegetable owner: Apaaa, vegetables don’t drop from the sky. My boy has to bring them by vehicle from
the sabzi mandi.
Customer (Bano Apa): Whatever it is, the price is too high.
Vegetable vendor: No, it is perfect. Look at the size and freshness of these carrots! You’ll find none
better around here.
Customer (Bano Apa): Please lower it Khan Sahab. Give me in Rs. 50.
Vegetable Owner (Khan sahab): Not yours, not mine. Take it in Rs. 70.
Customer (Bano Apa): No, I don’t need them. I will take them from Haji Sahab. His rates are the best in
the neighbourhood.
Vegetable owner: Alright Apa, have it your way. Rs. 50 carrots. Anything else?
Customer (Bano Apa): How much for half kg lady finger?
Vegetable owner: Rs.120/kg Apa.
Customer (Bano Apa): Okay, add half kg.
Vegetable Owner: (Heaping veggies in packet) Do you need anything else?
Customer (Bano Apa): Yes yes, Haji sahib always adds chillies and curry leaves free for my purchases.
You add some too.
Vegetable owner: You ladies will never forget to take this. [shaking head]
Customer (Bano Apa): Indeed. How much for all?
Vegetable owner: Rs. 110 total.
Customer(Bano Apa): Rs.110?! But I just have Rs.100.
Vegetable owner: Take it or leave it Apa. Tomorrow the rates rise again.
Customer (Bano Apa): Fine, here you go. (Taking money from scarf). Everything is sooo expensive. This is
the change from our Prime Minister. (hopeless and unhappy gestures)