On systems and tailors

I got an sms from my tailor sometime back. It said that my clothes are lying with him since december and could I be please take the trouble to collect them.Yes, this is my first ever sms from my tailor and I just could not remember leaving any of my stuff with him since December.I thought long and i thought hard on this subject and was definite that he has made a mistake.I went over to his shop one evening on the way back from my walk. I was quite definite that I will politely tick him off for using his mobile to give such wrong messages to me. I was even going to tell him, that while i appreciate his customer centric initiatives, would he get his data right.I remembered several such instances from my work life, where eager beaver workers got me into problems when they did not take the trouble to check some simple facts.

The owner was available ( he is one Vasu , by the way) and I told him i am here in response to his sms. He welcomed me and said can you give me the acknowledgement slip. I said i would if i have one and would he please check up how the sms got to be issued. He said he had sent that sms as part of an arrears clearing service.He showed me the bundles of stitched clothes blocking his shelf space and he said they have been with him for the last few months. Customers seem to forget to collect them once they have given it for stitching, he said.

He searched his records and when nothing emerged i was having an expression, I told you so, written large on my face. He then asked me if i have given any material under some other name.It was then it struck me that vini had given some material when she was here. I said yes, but we have collected every one of them. He then proceeded to take out a parcel and there I saw a brand new salwar suit stitched and ready since december. I recognised it as the material Rama had given to vini on her birthday.

Sheepishness replaced smugness.....