all and sundry claim delhi to be unsafe for women. all and sundry keep coming up with protection(read self defense) measures so back in time that one feels exposed in a sleeve-less shirt. the best option i liked was a pepper spray, not that i've tried one, but an option i knew i'd prefer after my taekwondo. so just this afternoon when i was delegated the job to look for one for a family member, i happily walked off to the market to get it. after all i wasn't looking for ammunition!
shop1: spencer's
me: i need pepper spray.
attendant: this was ma'am.
we walk to the condiments' aisle
attendant: ma'am, your pepper.
i stare blankly
attendant: black pepper, powdered and balls(he said balls!)
me: i need pepper SPRAY
he goes to call his senior
senior: ma'am how do u use pepper spray?
me: for self defense
senior: huh?!
gapes at me...i walk off
shop2: chemist next door
me: i need pepper spray
chemist: kiriyane ki dukan aage hai
no comments
shop3: chemist no2
me: i need pepper spray
clerk: cosmetics ki dukan aage hai
me: it's not a cosmetic
clerk: phir hamare pass nahi hai
shop4: cosmetics shop
me: i need pepper spray
he gapes and gapes and gapes uncomprehendingly. i walk on
shop5: chemist no3
me: i need pepper spray
clerk: cosmetics hum nahi rakhte
me: it's not a cosmetic
clerk: to kiriyana wale ke pass hoga
me: it's not edible
clerk: is it medicated? or theurapetic?
me: it's to immobilise jerks and for self defense.
by now my temper is high, patience low and sarcasm at it's peak
clerk: try archies' gallery
shop6: departmental store
me: i need pepper spray
dumb girl: ma'am party spray archies ya hallmark pe hoga
me: i need pepper spray
dumb girl: ma'am woh kya hota hai?
me: it's for self defense and protection
dumb girl: ma'am chemist pe pooch leejiye
shop7: chemist no4
me: i need pepper spray
attendant(to his collegues): arre koi pepper spray kharidne aaya hai!! kahan gayi woh?
people seem happy n scurry about to look for it.
attendant(suspiciously): ma'am 400-500 rupiye ki hai, aapko lena hai?
me: nahi khelna hai. obviously lena hai!!
attendant: ma'am 399 ka hai!
me: arre wah! ek rupiya kam?
they pack it, i leave.
and i heave a sigh of relief! i finally found 1 bottle of pepper spray. and considering i was looking in gulmohar park, hauz khas and kailash colony and people there are supposed to be informed. talk of women's emancipation!