Dial 108 and Goan Traits.

               I got the opportunity to test Goa’s unique ambulance service in the middle of the night when my mother took ill suddenly. I was pleased with the experience. The phone was picked up promptly when I called. The person who picked it up asked relevant questions in a language I understood, and without an heavy accent that often makes comprehension difficult.  The driver was provided with a phone for getting to the house with personalized directions. The vehicle arrived within the promised time limit. The staff attending to my mother, Yvette, was brisk, professional and very polite. The concern showed. Hope all are like her. The problem most of us face is of manpower to lift the loaded stretcher. Unless one has young male neighbours to lend a hand, this is something that needs to be looked at. This is a free service, and one can’t have extra hands on board. That apart, 108 did give commendable service.

               In all my previous jobs, the atmosphere was cosmopolitan. This is the first time my colleagues are true-blue Goans who have not stepped out of their village(s) and who are not in the age-group to change or learn new stuff easily.  It’s interesting to note that they will talk behind each others’ backs but be very sweet to the face. How courteously they talk: can be misleading. Yesterday, when the tempo driver came later than at the time agreed to, my only non-Goan colleague gave everybody a lecture on punctuality. The chap was to report at 2 pm. He did, only to inform that he’s returning after lunch. So for our purpose, he arrived 45 minutes late. Strangely, everyone took the tempo-fellow’s side, saying that he was a ‘good chap’. Why was he a good chap? Because he lent a hand with the luggage and loading (as did the ambulance driver above, I must add). The other strange reason was: he didn’t mind if he was paid late. Why is that considered a ‘good thing’? Why do we not pay on time as the norm, I asked. No we do, the old-timers said, but you know, he doesn’t mind it, doesn’t ask for the money, they repeated over again. Strange are the ways of Goa and Goans, I thought.

               Two of the staff had to go to Vasco without warning. Everybody was reduced to tears like they were going on a long journey. Call an air-conditioned car, suggested one. The owner of the business said ‘bus it’. The eyes and shoulders gave indications of unwillingness. Bus? In the afternoon? Bus? All the way to Vasco? When would they reach? What will happen to their lunch (ah, this question was SO important)? Each question was fielded, answered, and they had to leave. “Never done it before” they grumbled as they bid the others ‘bye. Till they returned safely and soundly, it was live tiatr time in the office.

               Unlike most places I’ve worked in, here snakes visit my office through the window.  My true-blue Goan colleagues are unfazed by their wriggly arrival. They play around for a bit with a rolled newspaper and then toss the reptiles back into the flora outside. I remember once a pigeon had flown into the library of the hospital where I used to work and there was chaos with people running helter-skelter in panic as if they’d been hit by a bomb. Goans are ok with Nature; at least the villagers.

               Dealing with customers is another thing. They’re polite and courteous. They’re so nice that they are ready to part with items without asking for payment. “He can give later, no” used to be the attitude in the beginning, one of the owners told me. I’ve inherited a ‘trained’ bunch that knows that money must be asked for. They have yet to learn to keep track of who came, make a data base, follow up cases, advertise wares and market the goods aggressively like the Delhites do. Am glad at that reticence, though, for I hate to get badgered into buying anything, and expect others hate it too.

               My new job is in a place that deals with luxury stuff. Surprising how many Goans are interested in such things. I thought Goans were simple and weren’t good consumers. I was wrong. Wrong. There’s a lot of money floating around just waiting to be spent. And willing spenders digging into their pockets. I’m looking forward to writing about the customers in future stories. Love their quirks and eccentricities. Lots of fodder for my column!! Ha!