<p>Today, we are caught up in a whirl of innovations; a technological revolution that has us in its grip. Not a day passes without some new application or improvement that can be implemented. Most are compelled to update themselves on these novel developments. <br /><br /></p>.<p>There are also those who find it difficult to cope with the speed of changing technology and prefer the ‘good, old, trusted ways’. I belong to the latter category, though I have managed to learn just enough to get by. I am kind of semi-literate.<br /><br />In a changing world, shopping online has become quite common. Apart from the ease of transaction, it saves time and energy. Also, people are enthralled by the ‘deals’ they get. Being a traditional, old-fashioned shopper, I like to visit shops –be it for vegetables and fruit, groceries, clothes, shoes and bags, or electronic items. More than the touch and feel, I enjoy the casual conversation I deal in with the sales persons. All this has only won me the ridicule of younger consumers who thrive on clicking keys.<br /><br />Once, goaded beyond endurance, I decided to move with the changing times and give online shopping a try. I thought I would start with something very simple, something where I couldn’t possibly go wrong. I ordered a book. It arrived in two days, looking no different from the ones stacked in book stores and smelling just as good when I opened it at random and inhaled.<br /><br />Emboldened, I ventured further. Idly going through some websites, my attention was grabbed by a display of gorgeous saris on one of them. There were several of them, in various hues and patterns. When I consulted an expert in the field (she goes to the remotest places to pick up the rarest ones), she assured me about its reputation, saying it was a reliable one. She also mentioned that she was a patron of that particular site. Any doubts I had were dispelled.<br /><br />Brimming with confidence, I spent a lot of time looking over the ‘creations’. I short-listed four and examined them in minute detail. Finally, after much deliberation, I chose one – a vibrant yellow with a maroon border and pallu. It was traditional yet trendy, bright but not gaudy. I placed the order and waited for it to arrive. <br /><br />When the courier delivered the parcel, I opened it clumsily, unable to contain my excitement. I was pleased that it was just as it was pictured. A sticker on it read: Blouse attached. So I had the tailor cut off the blouse and machine the edges. Later, I unfolded the sari to iron it. Imagine my horror when I found thick tiger stripes on the inner half! <br />I realised that only the part of the sari with the pallu and border had been shown. I had only myself to blame for my foolishness. The experience has been enough to put me off online shopping!<br /></p>
<p>Today, we are caught up in a whirl of innovations; a technological revolution that has us in its grip. Not a day passes without some new application or improvement that can be implemented. Most are compelled to update themselves on these novel developments. <br /><br /></p>.<p>There are also those who find it difficult to cope with the speed of changing technology and prefer the ‘good, old, trusted ways’. I belong to the latter category, though I have managed to learn just enough to get by. I am kind of semi-literate.<br /><br />In a changing world, shopping online has become quite common. Apart from the ease of transaction, it saves time and energy. Also, people are enthralled by the ‘deals’ they get. Being a traditional, old-fashioned shopper, I like to visit shops –be it for vegetables and fruit, groceries, clothes, shoes and bags, or electronic items. More than the touch and feel, I enjoy the casual conversation I deal in with the sales persons. All this has only won me the ridicule of younger consumers who thrive on clicking keys.<br /><br />Once, goaded beyond endurance, I decided to move with the changing times and give online shopping a try. I thought I would start with something very simple, something where I couldn’t possibly go wrong. I ordered a book. It arrived in two days, looking no different from the ones stacked in book stores and smelling just as good when I opened it at random and inhaled.<br /><br />Emboldened, I ventured further. Idly going through some websites, my attention was grabbed by a display of gorgeous saris on one of them. There were several of them, in various hues and patterns. When I consulted an expert in the field (she goes to the remotest places to pick up the rarest ones), she assured me about its reputation, saying it was a reliable one. She also mentioned that she was a patron of that particular site. Any doubts I had were dispelled.<br /><br />Brimming with confidence, I spent a lot of time looking over the ‘creations’. I short-listed four and examined them in minute detail. Finally, after much deliberation, I chose one – a vibrant yellow with a maroon border and pallu. It was traditional yet trendy, bright but not gaudy. I placed the order and waited for it to arrive. <br /><br />When the courier delivered the parcel, I opened it clumsily, unable to contain my excitement. I was pleased that it was just as it was pictured. A sticker on it read: Blouse attached. So I had the tailor cut off the blouse and machine the edges. Later, I unfolded the sari to iron it. Imagine my horror when I found thick tiger stripes on the inner half! <br />I realised that only the part of the sari with the pallu and border had been shown. I had only myself to blame for my foolishness. The experience has been enough to put me off online shopping!<br /></p>
