Ooty - Owner's Pride Neighbor's Envy

How many of us remember the days when our mom used to have a bowl of pappu mammu or thachu mammu, run around and feed us?

I hardly can recollect! May be she had to do it when my tiny brain couldn't really coordinate the hand-to-mouth movement and when I didn't know the usage of thumb. Today, even if she tries to put something in my mouth, I fret, back-out, get it in my hand and help myself!

Well, I have seen my cousin run around to feed my niece and it is a wonder to watch the kid have rice smeared all over the face, run around, pretend to throw up, spit out, et al

In one of the recent marriages that I attended, I have also seen the groom feed the bride during lunch, spilling some juice on her high-priced pattu saree. She had a funny expression on the picture that captured the moment - happiness of getting fed by the man, over-shadowed by the cost and the state of the saree

Many more such instances! We've seen an attendant feed the patient, birthday cakes at parties, couples at restaurants and they are all normal incidents. It is something that happens in day-to-day life, and nobody complains.

But, But, why do you have to do it at work? At Tidel Food Court, sitting right opposite me, when I am helping myself, swallowing that sub-standard gruel with the company of three empty chairs!! Not that I protest, but it sure caused an envious 'fire in the belly'(causing severe acidity) for the fellow diners at surrounding tables.

* The geek who was thinking of a bug in java script, in the next table, forgot his 'helloworld' program.

* The french-beard manager, who had fought with his wife, (obviously, that landed him at food court) sighed heavily, cooling down his hot soup in that one sigh

* The young programmer whose girl friend is on a long-term onsite assignment, almost burst into tears

* And I, looked vaguely at the three empty chairs around me!

Why food court? And why right in front of my eyes?!

Now, to link the title…

'Ooty vidradhu thapillai... aana, idam, porul, eval arindhu ooty vidavum'. Ungal Ooty, suthi irukaravangaluku Sahara!!
[Roughly translates to: Nothing wrong in feeding, but just do it in the right place. Owner's pride neighbor's envy.]

PS: And, that makes post no 50!