'The Have-in-small-amounts'

Shouldn’t there be a third category when we talk of ‘the haves’ and ‘the Have-nots’; that of ‘Have-in small-amounts’?  below are a few observations made during a dinner at a restaurant.

·         A typical ‘have-in-small-amounts’ goes to a restaurant, wishes to try those new fancy-named sizzlers along with the main course, but knows not how they would end up like. A ‘have’ would have tasted it, a ‘have-not’ would never want or rather get to taste it, but a ‘have-in-small-amounts’ would be confused. He/she has the power to choose (and spend) but in small amounts; ‘value for money’ being the guiding mantra.

·         Now that ‘have-in-small-amounts’ wasn’t served his soup hot. So he doesn’t enjoy it well. The waiter happens to be a middle-aged man, looking tired after a long day probably, and our have-in-small-amounts is a young one. He may tell the waiter about it, but may not really complain any further. There’s something that stops him from complaining - some consideration for that waiter may be..good old values? He has that anger inside him of not being given what was due to him, but in small amounts-resulting in a mild expression.

·         Another ‘have-in-small-amounts’ enters the restaurant, with his girlfriend. Now the lady is a little conscious-trying not be seen by a lot of people. This ‘have-in-small-amounts’ couple seems to be clear that they are free to date, but their family and the society may not accept it. So they go out freely, yet try to conceal. There’s that notion of freedom- but in small amounts.

·         And finally the very literal example of ‘small amounts’. A kid in that restaurant wants to have an ice-cream bar worth Rs 20. When his father gets him that, he wants another one, so that he holds one in each of his hands and eats them simultaneously. The ‘wise’ father refuses, saying that he can have one bigger one worth Rs 40, but not 2 small ones for both his hands. He seems to be against the display of extravagance of numbers, i.e. of having more than what is believed to be reasonable. So there is that tendency among the ‘have-in-small-amounts’ to show extravagance, yet in small amounts.

All the above seem to be having negative connotations; may lead one to believe that this category is the confused and the frustrated lot of the society. Yet they are probably the most content ones. Don’t they say, ”Happiness comes in small packages!”

(Parneet Kaur)