Why the question mark ? The Christmas day has not been as merry as one would have wished for some in this wide world. That includes me too.
The passengers stranded at several European airports, huddled in the airport lounges in the icy winter and waiting for the next flight, possibly indefinitely, to take them to their desired destination, to their family and friends for this christmas have surely had their merriment curtailed. A newspaper picture showing two women stranded in an airport and raising their glasses in a toast indicates that the human spirit is indomitable and that, at least some can make the best out of a pretty bad situation.
The GSLV rocket that India launched on Christmas day to put a geostationary communication satellite in orbit exploded 47 seconds after liftoff. The launch vehicle just disintegrated in orange and white plumes and plunged into the Bay of Bengal causing another huge setback to the country's space programme which is otherwise noteworthy. The monetary loss is a little over 300 crores in rupees which of course is little change compared to what the successive scamsters have been able to swindle out of the country's exchequer. But it is not the money, it is the failure of our scientists to correct the engineering and technological snags that caused the crash which is of concern. I am indeed proud of the achievement of our space programme. Only the other day,we have been able to send an unmanned probe to the moon. We also have had a number of successful launches and some of the geostationary satellites in orbit must have been behind the succes of our telecommunication facilies available today.But three crashes out of seven launches should make everyone sit up and take serious note.
As for me, generally Christmas day is no different from any other day in the calendar, except that I receive some SMS greetings which I try to reply. But this time, my daughter wanted me to book some tickets online for a film showing in one of the multiplexes - Fame in South City Mall. My daughter-in-law has come from UK with my granddaughter for a visit. So she thought it was a good idea to go for a cartoon film to watch with them and of course my grandson. The children are just over four years old.
It was a very good idea, I thought. And as a computer savvy man, used to online purchases, I agreed. I went to the website, selected the movie and the date (today's ). When selecting the time, my mind was thinking of the children and I thought morning would be the best option. So I selected 10.30, clicked went to the next page, completed the visa card verification formalities and finalised the purchase. The page confirming the purchase came up and I informed my daughter over phone that the job was done.
When I got a printout, I was appalled. The time was 10.30 pm and not 10.30 am. It was impossible to go to watch a movie with the children at that hour. Why the children ? I would not be interested in going at that late hour myself. I knew I had messed up. I was so content in getting the movie seats at 10.30 which to my mind somehow appeared the morning hours, as if by some fixation, that I missed seeing the pm in the timing. I was really dejected, in fact shattered. I had already agreed to the terms of the multiplex that the online tickets, once purchased, won't be refunded or exchanged. So, it was a total loss. I had to inform my daughter and though, highly embarrassed, I did and told her the programme was off and I had lost around Rs.1450.00. Merry Christmas. For record, my daughter was quite nice about it, she did not embarrass her father a bit.
I thought of retrieving the situation, if possible. I got in touch with my son-in-law who came over within no time and we drove over to South City. But the young fellow at Fame said that he could do nothing, no refund, no exchange even though I was ready for an upgrade to their Gold Class on extra payment. He suggested however that I collect the tickets from the counter and leave them with him. He said he would try to sell the tickets, as many as possible and let me know after the show starts. I can collect the money,whatever that is or the tickets from him later.He gave me his card too with his contact number. I knew the chances were slim, this being a late night show but since I didn't have much of an option, I did as he told.
We two went for a cup of coffee from the food court. That I thought was our Christmas, but there too, the food court was so crowded, we did not get any seat. Sipped our coffee standing amidst a huge crowd and came back.
A note : This online booking for a movie in Fame is a farce.Even after you book the tickets and get a printout of the confirmation, you have to collect your actual tickets from their counter. You have to be personally present with the credit card used for the purchase and stand in a long queue to get the tickets. Why online then ? To enable people like me to make stupid mistakes and lose their money just by oversight ? And feel really old ?
Well the online ticket is not for saving time at the cinema hall Q, its for enabling you to book a ticket in advance which is required because on the day of the show you may not get tickets(especially for good movies). Its to help you save money on your fuel and time for the advance booking. Therefore its not a farce :).
ReplyDeleteThe point I was making is that the Q is not really necessary.The printout should have been adequate as in the case of airlines.They could only have checked the credit card and identity of the purchaser of the ticket.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is a saving on petrol for car users, but they also charge nearly 10% extra for the c.card transaction.