Thread by @twinsighter

The Interwebs of Amritsar: A Sales Masterclass

The story starts with Kartar di Hatti. It is in lane opozit to Rmaada hotel. Ask anyone. It is world famous in Amritsar. Rmaada hotel and Kartar di Hatti both. 1/

In Rmaada, you'll find golden and silver and platinum upholstered sofas. You can't miss them. In lane opozit, you'll find lots of shops selling juttis and phulkari dupattas. But there is only one Kartar di Hatti. 2/

For ten rupees, you can even get a rickshaw to take you from Rmaada hotel to Kartar di Hatti. Even though the distance is barely a couple of hundred metres. If you've had a breakfast of chhole bhature at the hotel, you might say yes to the rickshaw. 3/

If it’s your first time in Amritsar and you’re only there for the weekend, you’ll want to make the most of your time there, especially minimizing time away from the Golden Temple. And even though you’ll only save 2 minutes on the rickshaw, you’ll perceive it to be a lot more. 4/

What do you go to Kartar di Hatti for? Just to look, of course. For women, the phulkari dupattas are truly spectacular, both in range and design. The salesman has immediately discerned your taste and your budget as soon as you have walked up to the store. 5/

“Sister, there is no charge to look,” he says.
“I’m just looking, I’m not here to buy,” you insist, as you step in.
“Of course, Sister,” he reassures, “just look. Arey, chotu, get a glass of water for Madam. What will you have, Sister? Hot or cold? No, no, I insist.” 6/

Half an hour and 7 phulkari dupattas later.
“What else can I show you, Sister? You should try some patialas. They will look very good on you.”
“Bhaiyya, I am from Delhi, and the only way to describe my backside is, well, ample.” 7/

“That won’t suit me,” you tell him with a smile.
“Sister, one time there was one ladies who sat on two chairs. If she can wear patialas, they will certainly look good on you,” he returns.
Two patialas later, he turns his attention to the man. 8/

“Sir, you will look so smart in a Pathan suit. Just like Shah Rukh Khan in Raees. You will look no less.”
And he immediately pulls out his phone and shows a side by side comparison of Shah Rukh in the Raees Pathan suit and one of his customers wearing the same suit. 9/

You, of course, are not delusional enough to fall for it.
“No, no, I don’t want any Pathan suit. Besides, we’re leaving later this evening. And I doubt you have my size.”
Rookie mistake. 10/

Because the tailor master is summoned immediately. He measures you on the spot, goes away to do his magic.
“Why don’t you go to King & Queen jutti shop just opposite in the meanwhile? You’ll find really good Pishauris there to go with your Pathan suits?” 11/

“I’ll tell you what. You go pick up your juttis and drop them back here. Then you to the Temple, have lunch at Kesar Dhaba and go back to your hotel and relax. I will have your suits dropped off there by 3pm. Promise. You go and enjoy your day without worry.” 12/

Amazingly, the suits are perfectly tailored and delivered in under 4 hours. Your wallet considerably lighter and your luggage considerably heavier, you still have enough time to have a divine glass of cold, creamy lassi from Arora’s. 13/13

#EndOfMasterClass #InsightStories