Saturday, April 3, 2010

Gratification

Two of my favourite activities are eating and observing people. Obviously, it’s good fun when the two come together. Watching people’s expressions before, during and after the fulfilment of this great responsibility bestowed upon us by Mother Nature is probably the second most enjoyable part of the process- behind the process, itself, of course. Nearing two illustrious decades of nibbling, munching, gobbling, and other similar acts of gluttony, I’ve seen a glut of faces speaking a million words through their sounds of silence, and, in many unfortunate cases, those very faces and some other faces communicating quite audibly.


Who hasn’t seen that million dollar smile, embellished by that nugget stuck between the front teeth? Some faces scream approval for the food, as others, disapproval for their company. While some choose their sparkling clean plates to do the talking, notes and coins do it in their own separate ways in other cases. One of the comparatively rare expressions, though, is that of the countenance that tells the tale of a hungry stomach reaching its complete capacity, a rapacious mind once raring for more, now full to its core; of a gourmand satisfied.


More often than not, when slowly washing my hands, it is this face that I see in the mirror.


P.S.- Weird coincidence that this post should come hours after I had dinner with my father at a restaurant almost named after that other great foodie we know.

11 comments:

Saagar said...

One of my favourite pastimes used to be taking pictures of people's plates when they were eating. Good fun. I had to stop when I saw that almost no one responded well to it, least of all the people whose plates and palates were candidly captured.
Thanks for the link. The restaurant sucks, of course. I have to resort to mutter/butter paneer when I go there.

Arun said...

You might not understand this, but absolute gratification for me means feasting on the chicken changezi and afghani in Baadshah, or better still, the chicken curry back home. The contented countenence on fellows' faces is usually missed because I'd be too involved in the eating part to worry about observing.

Murty said...

@ Lefta

Aw! I'd have loved that exercise- I generally leave my plates as good as new. And, as always, screw you non-vegetarians.

@ MGay

Actually, I do. Too many people throughout my life have tried to make me realise that, in all possible ways. And doing the two together is something I've perfected over the years.

Anunaya Jha said...

Great post Murty. I have an instant craving for a home-cooked meal now. You should observe me when I pounce upon the delicacies at home! It's not even remotely funny!

Prachi Agrawal said...

This made me wonder if I am not missing out on too much by not being a foodie...
Nevertheless, I shall be more observant in the times to come. :)

Murty said...

@ Anunya

Thank you! But don't you get that feeling almost every weekend? :)

@ Prachi

I'll not waste any time before saying "Obviously, you are!".

Amit... said...

Have you observed people when they sleep. It's equally amusing and would make for an interesting topic of study.

Anonymous said...

The passionate hogger that I am, observing people eat is real real fun. Try observing southies when they eat appalam (or papad if you like) with rice.

Oh and yes, Appa sent a whole box of Tirupati ladoos by courier today. Come away :P

Murty said...

@ Dang

Been on that job for years. I have this amazing pic of Tanay at it. Will put it up soon.

@ Shagster

Oye! Grrreat. Straight after exams on Wednesday!

The Decayed Canine said...

I never did get foodies. Oh, and I confess I never did manage to eat in Baadshah. :|

Murty said...

@ Tazo

It shows, man. It really does. Didn't I ever tell you? Eating is one of those elite acts we humans are entitled to that involves using all our five senses. If you eat by hand, that is.