Notice the 'hole'...
A picture speaks a thousand words...
Sunset...
Early morning chill...
Post Sunrise...
Bale killa...
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
...hard earned money
Cheers,
Mayank
This goes back about 5 years when I was in the second year of my graduation. There wasn't much to study (to clear the exam) and in a place like Ghaziabad, there wasn't much you could do with your free time. Combine that with the perpetual shortage of cash and what do u get? A tution scam!
The easiest way for semi-literate people (like me) to earn pocket money is to fleece parents by tutoring their kids. 'Earn while you learn' became 'loot while you tut'.
The next weekend, I released an advertisement in the local newspaper stating my intentions. A couple days went by, and still no calls for enquiry. I was starting to get worried. The following Saturday however, a middle aged man showed up at my door inquiring about the course details. His son studying in std 6th was being taught C++ at school. No wonder, the poor bastard didn't have a clue...
The enquiry turned towards the issue of fee. I explained to him that it would take about a couple months for me to cover the entire syllabus and the fee for the same would be Rs. 800 (Measly, right?). The father looked worried and contemplated for about two minutes. He looked up at me and said "Isn't that a little too much?". "Not really" I replied. I was baffled! Rs. 800 for two months was lesser than what he would have to pay for his son's babysitter even then!
Another minute passed, before he pleaded resignedly, "Alright, why don't you make it 1500".
It took some time to comprehend (and all this while I was staring at him)... What could I do? I made a silly face and replied sheepishly, "I'll make a concession for you. Send your son to me on Monday".
The easiest way for semi-literate people (like me) to earn pocket money is to fleece parents by tutoring their kids. 'Earn while you learn' became 'loot while you tut'.
The next weekend, I released an advertisement in the local newspaper stating my intentions. A couple days went by, and still no calls for enquiry. I was starting to get worried. The following Saturday however, a middle aged man showed up at my door inquiring about the course details. His son studying in std 6th was being taught C++ at school. No wonder, the poor bastard didn't have a clue...
The enquiry turned towards the issue of fee. I explained to him that it would take about a couple months for me to cover the entire syllabus and the fee for the same would be Rs. 800 (Measly, right?). The father looked worried and contemplated for about two minutes. He looked up at me and said "Isn't that a little too much?". "Not really" I replied. I was baffled! Rs. 800 for two months was lesser than what he would have to pay for his son's babysitter even then!
Another minute passed, before he pleaded resignedly, "Alright, why don't you make it 1500".
It took some time to comprehend (and all this while I was staring at him)... What could I do? I made a silly face and replied sheepishly, "I'll make a concession for you. Send your son to me on Monday".
Cheers,
Mayank
P.S : His son didn't come on Monday, and I kicked myself for losing a student to greed. Couple days later he showed up and handed me my first earning :). It was only natural that I charge all subsequent students the revised fee...
Unfortunately, I could never do much with my hard earned money... (refer to the post below)
Unfortunately, I could never do much with my hard earned money... (refer to the post below)
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