Shaadi.com Chronicles - Part III

"I hope you haven't told anyone about this guy's family coming home!", mom at her superstitious best!

I'm wondering what to say to her. "Not really EVE RY ON E... but i called Manila for support!"

Mom - "WHATT?? will you please ask her to not come, what if he likes her??"

Me (raised eye brow) - "Are you serious? she's married!"

Mom - "ya but she doesnt look it, she's still young and you'll are the same age, he might get confused!"

Me (actually taking part in this conversation) - "This guy A. will pick manila over me - which is ok everyone has a choice, but he hasnt liked me in the first place and B. (more importantly) HE WILL GET CONFUSED between me and manila! You actually want me to marry this guy???"

Mom - No arguments! ask her to come later... and what support you want?

Me - Never mind!

This is a conversation i have with my mother a few hours before Mr. sweet - simple - actually a nice guy with his mum comes to see me.

What i was most excited about was the amazing 'batata wadas' my mother had made - she hadnt made them in sooo long i was dying to eat them!- home made batata wadas rock! i actually had two before he came and two while he was at home and two more once he was gone.. yUmmm...

The house smelt of boiled, spiced potatoes! The house looked super clean, every light in the house was switched on - it actually looked like a gold showroom, i was the ornament and yess, we did have a dark velvet cloth to put me against, for me to SHINE! :D

So anyway, Mr. Nice guy comes in with his mum (talk about her in a bit) and of course, my aunt (who is currently my mother's super hero) who brought in this 'rishta'. Oh, but 5 minutes before they arrive, ive had a cuppa tea and my constipation gives way and i rush to CRAP! (sorry this detail is needed) - while washing my hands, i accidentally splash water all over my kurta and now im stained! It's cool, i guess, it'll dry off and i walk out confidently with water on the lower front of my Kurta! - THE FIRST THING, i know, THE MOTHER NOTICES (his mother!)

I sit on my couch and thus the talks begin - it feels funny (it is my first time, at home!) - it is legally allowed for me to check this guy out! He looked all right, actually looked much younger! how old was he? (no clue!)

My parents, his mum and my aunt continued to talk about family and common friends. Turns out we know a lot of people in common, im suddenly wishing he turns out to be my brother through some weird coincidence! Atleast something cool to write about... ;) but no that didnt happen.

The awesome wadas are out - im asked to serve - GLADLY! they smell killer!. Boy refuses to eat more than one! Shares his plate with Mother. Aunt eats what's given to her and so does the rest of my family. Boy eats the wada and leaves the chutney in his plate (my mother couldnt get it out of her system! she kept complaining about that after he left!)

"Do you want to ask her anything!" - his mother asks him.

I DO! I DO! - im screaming in my head. We are asked to chose between the balcony at home or go downstairs - i chose to go down. (i have to tell him about how i dont want kids rememeber!).

"Come back quick!" instruct his mother! (Aing!)

So we go down, i cant seem to ask him much, we have a decent conversation. He did hesitate to tell me about his drinking habits! hehehe

Me -"So what do u do on weekends?"

Boy - "i hang with friends!" (cool! i know lots of men who dont!)

Me - "where?"

Boy - "camp, koregaon park!" (these are areas! im looking for more specific info)

Me - "so where in camp? on mg road?"

Boy - "errrr.. no!" (thats it... gimme more!)

Me - "the mall?"

Boy - "ummm no.." (Arrrgghh!!! is he gonna tell? )

Me - "Thousand oaks?" (please say yes! for all those who dont know, its a pub!)

Boy - "uhhh.. ya!" (BINGO!)

Me - "oh cool!"

Boy - "yea i like that place, i actually like smokies better!" (Wow more pubs! this guy is cool!)

So after this info, i was kinda ready to head back home - i didnt really want to know more.i was happy to find out that this guy seemed a little outgoing and cool, all the other details could wait. (Read Shaadi.com chronicles Part I to know why i was relieved with such little info!)

Got home, said bye and my mother thinks this guy is perfect for me -

1. He is sweet.
2. He is simple.
3. He is tall
4. He shares his first name with your father (hyaah!)
5. His last name is the same as my mother's maiden name!

Mom's SOLD!  still needed some selling, after all -

1. He had a mother who wanted us to get back quick from a "get to know" session. HOW!
2. He looked like my younger brother!
3. He shares his first name with my dad! (IMAGINE!)
4. His last name is the same as my mother's maiden name (Not a very cool name that is! TRUST ME!)
5. and, he wasted my mother's most amazing coconut chutney!

So yaa... im  not soo keen yet... actually im just being filmy, but more importantly, im just being a girl - i want to fall in love! i want to marry the man i love - not a guy who doesnt want a second helping of my mother's yummiest 'batata wadas'!

Shaadi.com Chronicles - Part II

I watched Rockstar last night. Imtiyaz Ali aimed to show the story of EPIC LOVE! (whether he was successful or not is another issue i'll talk about in another note) but Epic Love... What is Epic Love? Is it something im looking for... for 6,000 rupees?

"No! Go for our personalized services, which costs 13,000 and you'll get better service" promised the counselor at the center when my mother called to find out why there were no more prospects, after the first disaster!

Mum - But atleast gimme what's 6,000 rupees worth!

Persistent Counselor - Madam! I assure you best service in our personalized service, we'll do all the calling, all follow up, all the meetings will be organized at coffee shops with free coffee from us! (I WAS EXCITED! FREE COFFEE!)

Mum - And what do i get for 6,000??

Persistent Counsellor - You can view contact details of the boys online and get in touch with them directly!

Mum - well i have viewed contact details of 8 boys, but no it says i've reached my limit. Now i can't access anymore details! i thought you said i could access 150.

PC - Yes! after 8 boys, you will have to wait 3 days to be able to activate your account again AT NO EXTRA COST! (WOW!) But Ma'am your daughter's profile is sooooo nice, try the personalised service and she'll get a groom in no time! i'll try and make it 10,000 for you.

Mum - No NO! if the profile is so nice, why am i not getting anyone now! We'll wait some more before we pay any further...

Just when i was beginning to enjoy the process, i have no boys to meet!

But on a more serious note... In my hunt for Epic Love, am i being fair to  my mum? I'm a romantic, i always have been and all i want is for a boy to love me enough to last me a lifetime... not asking for too much, am i?

But i guess, for now, i'll have to rely on my mother's relentless calling to the shaadi center, knowing well that there might never be anyone in this whole wide world who'll love me like my mother!

Shaadi.com Chronicles - Part I

So here i am - Single, 28 and the daughter of a mother who hyperventilates even when she finds out that the hero of her favorite TV series is married (in real life).

My Mother is in that zone where she thinks me getting married will solve all my troubles (even skin troubles). She thinks that, all these years, I've only wasted in being friends - had i initiated romance with someone i would have had my first child by now (SURE! like i didn't initiate romance ME!! no ROMANCE??). Anyway, so now after much insistence I've allowed her to pay 6K for a 6 month membership at one of these shaadi type websites!

No! this is not my way of letting the world know how miserable i feel - but my stories are meant to entertain, only ENTERTAIN!

Also because i met a few girls who are going through the same and i want them to see the BRIGHT side, which brings me  to the first guy i ever met - "Mr. I've seen life and trust me, i think you need help"!!

So I'm 45 minutes late for a meeting my mother had fixed. According to her, she told me.According to me, this is what happened?

Mom calls me in the middle of work - "Hey! they really want you to meet this guy, i told them we dont want bald boys (correction MEN!) but they insist we meet him. So can we go today at 6?"

ME - "No! of course not! im at work at 6, ill leave by 630. ask them if 7 is ok?"

Mom - OK!

I dont receive any call after this. So i assume 7 is not okay! Anyhu, here i am with Mr. Bright ass, 45 minutes late!

Bright Ass - Hi! my name is "typically Puneri" im 6 feet tall!

ME (staring at him) - Hi I'm Meenal and this is the first time im meeting someone!

Bright Ass (wide eyed) - oh is it? why is that so? (im not changing the script, these are his words)

ME (stumped) - umm... because my Mother paid for..

Bright Ass (butting in) - OHH!!! so your mother wants you to be married, you dont want to marry?

ME (a little irritated) - of course i wanna be married (just not to you!)

Bright Ass - Why you have an accent?

ME - because I've been born and brought up in Dubai but by now i think i've lost it (but i guess, im only going to lose my mind in the next 10 mins)

Bright Ass - So tell me about yourself...

ME - What would you like to know..

BA - anything, what you do? what you like? your height? (WHAT THE FU*@ is the obsession with height???) i didnt see properly when you were standing (basically didn't check me out!)

ME - well, i work for a private FM station in Pune. I head the programming..

BA - oh, what softwares you work on?

ME - umm... "NAme of Software"

BA - oh you work only on one software fulll day??

ME (confused and then enlightened) - oh Programming has nothing to do with Softwares - its Radio Programming!

BA - oh achha achha.

ME - before anything else i must tell you, i don't want to have kids!

BA (shocked and now raises his volume) - WHAT?

ME - ya! im not into kids that much..

BA - how? why you dont like kids? is it because you had some tragedy?

ME nodding my head (what kinda tragedy would i have had with KIDS?!?!?)

BA - Sorry for being personal, shweta.... but im also a little into psychology and i like to study psyches of people (sure, why dont you get the name of your experiments right before your study!) but is it related to some past mishap?

ME - no! honestly, i just dont like kids - im not  a kid friendly person! i only like kids i know!

BA (ignoring what im saying, in his psyche trance) - maybe its because your parents didnt raise you well, no offense shweta! but you think you will not be able to raise a child!

ME (shocked and laughing) - WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! R u serious? i adore my parents and i dont think anyone can do a better job than they have with me! WHAT R U SAYING?

BA - NO! NO! sorry for being personal, but this is the first time i'm seeing a girl saying she doesn't want children. its a very EUROFEAN conceft! (yea ive only HEARD of people who say F instead of P but i finally met one!) SO what is your conceft of marriage?

ME - two friends living together!

BA (smiling, patronising) - what about family?

ME - what about it?

BA - see i want to have kids to pass on my wealth - you might call me aristocratic or whatever - lekin mein apna paisa daan toh nahi karunga, thats why i want to have kids!

(great! this guy will get some chik knocked up only so he knows his wealth is in good hands after he's gone!)

ME - Sure! i guess this isnt going to work then... Also i would have cut you earlier, but i didnt see this going anywhere... but my name is Meenal!

Bright ARSE! - Oh yes! Meenal Apte, right?

ME - NEVERMIND!! it doesn't matter!

I left the room, saw another girl and her parents paying up to find a suitable match!

Counsellor at shaadi - "Dont worry! we will only make you meet people that match your profile" (WHAT!!!!)

Anyway, this was the first, i may have to meet many more... After all, we've paid 6K, i need to get my money's worth dont i??

P.S. Nishu and Dee, this story was for you, since we havent had the opportunity to discuss what happened!

DateonDate is back!

I know a lot of you were wondering what happened to DateonDate... I wondered too and realized that while, i may become busy in my life at a new work place, there still are many singles out there who require great company and are lonely in Pune.

So here is Dateondate.. back in action, in a new Avatar! This time bigger, bolder and definitely, better.

Here's the deal, i'm going to post pictures of the girl of the week and guy of the week. Post which i will get entries for probable dates for these guys / girls. These entries will be forwarded to them and then someone who seems decent, cool, cute, chill awesome! will be finalized to date the "date of the week".

I dont want wannabe models and struggling actors - this is not that kind of a portal. I just want simple, straightforward, working executives / singles that want spend sometime with another one of them!

So what are you waiting for? Register with your pictures and necessary details on the button here on the right...

Also it's the monsoons... Perrrrfect weather to go out, have some coffee, chitchat and LAUGH! :)

So what are you waiting for? Let the pictures pour in... on dateondate@hotmail.com along with your registration details.

Everyone deserves some SPICE!

DateonDate finally has a venue!

Yes! It’s true! It’s time to rejoice and be assured that if you’re single and are ready to meet and explore new people; you have a place - SPICE LOUNGE!

Inn - side!

The interiors of this place are amazing. While it has a separate restaurant seating area, SPICE also has a lounge area, if you want to chill and enjoy a drink. The lounge has a retro feel with movie reels hanging on the walls and several snapshots of Hollywood movie scenes from the 60s!

The Décor

The Spice wall of Fame!

Khaana Peena!

The bar seems well stocked, not just with perfect liquor but also with the most awesome bartenders who serve you some supremely different cocktails! The food is Pan Asian and Indian. I tried the butterfly prawns, served with a yummy, slightly spicy red sauce. Basically fried prawns, but the red sauce is to - die - for. Also you must try the Chicken hazaara kebab AND salt and pepper prawns - while the chicken was well marinated (which it should be) I was taken by surprise when it almost melted in my mouth, YUMMMM! Gagan Ganpule, one of the owners claims to be a huge fan of the chef’s chicken in Thai, red curry. Anyone up for a tasting session of their awesome mini lunch meals, with me?

The Bar!

Time to Part -eh!

Now coming to the best part about this place - the awesome theme parties!

Ladies Night every Friday - Free Pink Shots, Free Tarot reading with every drink you buy, Fun pop / retro Music and some Killer starters. Also free registrations for DateonDate. I’ll be there, you can meet me and we’ll do what we love best - Bitch, Gossip and talk about men and dating! ;)

All things bright and Holi - This Saturday night (19^th March, 2011) don’t forget to be at Spice Lounge. Colourful shots, Spirited Golas, desi beats and complete dhamaal! Holi is never going to be so colourful, take it in writing ;)

Also take a look at the cute and cozy DateonDate corner …

The DateonDate Plan

Once a month, Spice lounge along with DateonDate plan on having a huge singles night. This will be an exclusive “invites only” party. First 10 female and male registrations on DateonDate get 1 free drink and 1 ‘yummylicious’ starter.

Also ample opportunities to play games and win prizes. Let’s also not forget you also make friends with several other singles in the city.

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself and your single friends registered on DateonDate and have a blast at the one place that guarantees you a good time - SPICE LOUNGE.

Guaranteed to put you in a good mood - Banana Margherita!

Spice Lounge, 34, Akshay Complex, Off Dhole Patil Road, Pune - 411 001.

For reservations call - 020 2605 2637, 9822 6693 77

Super Woman? No…I’ll just be a regular woman, first!

It’s quite obvious, since it IS Women’s Day this post is all about women! But if you’re a man and you’re going to stop reading, I suggest, don’t! You’re going to get some healthy or not so healthy insights into a woman’s life and this could help you be a better man (READ: more appealing to the women / easily dateable!)

Women love to go out on dates! They love to be looked in the eye while talking! They love the randomness of conversation! The excitement of adventure! The thrill of being wooed! But most of all, women ‘love’ to not reveal this side of them! It’s true. Very true. “What will my friends say?” “What will the guy think of me?” “What if I won’t be able to say anything?” “What if I say something weird?” “What if he doesn’t like how I look?” Just some of the questions I’ve been asked since I started DateonDate.

Women across the world are debating over the need for such a day, shouldn’t it be celebrated everyday? they ask. I agree! It has to be celebrated everyday, but it won’t be… Not until every woman thinks it’s okay to get out of her boundaries and explore her options! Not until every woman disregards social stigmas and does as she pleases. Not until every woman considers everyday as women’s day.

A recent exchange with a ‘candy-date’ made me realize that we really need this day. After several male registrations, I get my first female entry. All at DateonDate appreciate her bravery and admire her spirit to go out there and meet somebody she’s never met before. I was happy. I was told that women will not take me seriously; this registration was a slap in their face. I knew women wanted to have fun, I knew they wanted to date, but just didn’t have the right sources or didn’t trust the service! So with all my excitement I call her up and fix up a date with one of my closest pals! He’s sweet, he’s a gentleman, he’s cute (not in a jugal hansraj way, but in a govinda sorta way), he’s a musician, the works! But most of all, he’s a talker and knows how to start a conversation… any conversation! Sadly, while she may have braved the waters to come forward and register, she didn’t think it fit to date him. The whole point was to meet someone new, to get insights into a life you might never have thought off. “Not comfortable!” “I’m simple! His likes don’t match mine!” “We won’t have anything to say” “I’m not good enough for him” were some of the answers (I wouldn’t call them excuses).

Hmmmmpphh… Here I thought I had won a battle, but sadly, I hadn’t. The same woman’s celebrating the spirit of womanhood today, the freedom, and the independence (her facebook status is a blaring example!). She needs a women’s day! She needs a day to be free! She can’t be it everyday and she’s not alone… most of us are like her.

Coming back to what I know is the spirit of being free, having fun and most importantly, giving yourself ‘most required’ bhaav - DateonDate - a service that enables you to find yourself, while making friends with others! Don’t be afraid to Date, it’s only a beginning to something you won’t know, unless you find out!

Happy Dating!

Maiden Date!

After gazillion registrations, DateonDate found its first 2 couples who went out last weekend. Ufff! The excitement, the nervousness, ‘shy is coming!’ ;)

I have a strong feeling that this awesome foursome will continue to have some fun. I mean, how can someone who loves to drive not get along with somebody who loves to travel! How would someone who loves to listen to music not get along with someone who is just about learning to play the guitar! So while they say opposites attract, I also believe that one must have things in common to break the ice.

Anuja Gawari - the ultimate woman of today. Loves her independence, yet cherishes the fact of being able to live, under the same roof as her parents, with ease. Travels far and wide on her own, sometimes for friends weddings and sometimes just as a tourist. Is a true blue Punekar and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sagar Goyal - If you live on Senapati Bapat road and visit the nearest gym every evening, be sure to meet Sagar. Fair, light eyed and exceptionally polite. Loves to spend time at the gym or at home watching TV. A close friend (female) describes him as ‘the ultimate boy to take home… to MOM!’ ;) Supremely helpful and does full justice to the phrase ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed!’

Pratiksha Bhandare - The cutest ‘toothy’ smile coupled with long silky hair! Down to earth and extremely simple. Loves to work but hates the fact that it doesn’t give her anytime to do things she loves, listening to music being one of those things. Also loves to shop on weekends with friends and family and loves to cook AND eat seafood.

Akhil Sirasao - An incurable romantic. Any girl can be sure to have the time of her life with this man. Loves to dance (takes lessons), loves to drive (bought himself a car as soon as he got his first job!) and wants to learn to play the guitar (is about to take lessons). One of the few guys who have just the exact amount of sensitivity, making him a very warm, supremely caring and tremendously lovable person.

These were my four 'Candy - dates' for the evening and they claim to have had a good time. If you think you would want to make friends with any of these four, it’s time to register!

Happy Dating!

Dating is tough!

There’s a fine line between dating and being in a relationship! Dateondate is purely dating. It’s been 2 days since the launch and the response has been more than overwhelming. Several registrations later, there are a few issues that could do with a bit of light-shedding upon, since I know there are many out there who are still considering the option but aren’t sure what to expect.

1. This is not, not, not shaadi.com! - If you are registering, please beware, this is just a way to meet a new friend. There might be several things in common or maybe none at all. You might fall in love with the person instantly or, if you’re a normal person like most of us, you may not. You would want the phone number of the person, you may not - you get the drift. But in any case, both ‘candy-dates’ (let’s go with this name, since it’s a sweet way to meet people) have to mutually agree to share personal information.
2. You will never be stood up! - The dates are personally fixed by DateonDate. One ‘candy-date’ will always be accompanied by a DateonDate representative, who is constantly in touch with the other ‘candy-date’.
3. No dinners / lunches! - DateonDate dates will always be a coffee / tea affair. Since both the ‘candy-dates’ are new to each other, it might be difficult to predict if they would want to stay longer.
4. Sleazebags, stay away! - I know most of you are concerned about the danger in meeting some sleazebag and I mean both, men AND women! I know some shady women I would never include on DateonDate - trust me, there are some out there! So leave your worries behind - unless we’re doubly sure about how / who the person is, he/she will never be included in DateonDate.

DateonDate is fun. DateonDate is adventurous. DateonDate is cool. DateonDate is the ultimate way to make a friend. This is your way of making a new friend in Pune. Like Juice World on East Street, Camp would say. “The best way to enjoy our juices is without a straw” (No, not the “Dogs and balloons not allowed” sign, which, we agree, is a classic). Similarly, the best way to enjoy DateonDate is without expecting anything!

Happy Dating!

Date? Me?

Single Friend: Hi Meenal! What's up?

Me: Well...Nothing much, just started my own dating service!

Single Friend: What? Are you serious?

Me: Uhuh...wanna join?

Single Friend: Are you crazy?

Me: Why not? Didn't you ask me to set you up with one of my single friends, last time?

Single Friend: Yes! but...I didn't think you'd take me seriously.

Me: Well, guess what? I DID!

Date on Date is officially active from today and it gives me tremendous pleasure in introducing you to my world!

Funny, quirky, fun, smart, intelligent, naughty are just a few words to describe my friends. One word common to most of them - Single!

Dating is a concept…

Dating is a concept that many are not friendly with. Men think it's a great way to get laid and women think the person they are dating is THE one! Both these myths need to be broken and fast. Or else we'll be living in a world where one (in today's day and age) will only make friends at work or familiar surroundings, the adventure and the excitement of meeting somebody funny, smart and different beyond their boundaries will be missing.

Women want to be approached! Yes! It’s true!

I'm one of those very few (or maybe not so few) women who have never been approached by a random guy at a bar! I'm one of those few women who has never found a cute 'friend' on a bus / train while traveling! I'm one of those few women who has never had a miraculous excuse to stay alive (you know when some guy just comes up to you and says, "Hey! I’d like to be friends!", a meet cute!). I needed to go out there and say, "Friends?", I had to crack that extra joke to be noticed!, I had to think of something smart to say to start a conversation and while I succeeded in making friends most times, I know I faced rejection too.

So what’s Date on Date?

Date on Date is your buddy from the minute you click follow. So say good bye to the initial reservation, apprehension and hesitation and say hello to a world where making friends with complete strangers is easy. Drop me an email with your details, then sit back and relax while I find you the perfect friend!

Date on Date will also serve as, in due course, the ultimate blog for friends in Pune! Things to do on a boring Wednesday evening, restaurants you can take your date to, Salons and spas to visit before a date and boutiques that will give you just the perfect outfit!

This is the beginning of a wonderful time in Pune... So don't be left behind and definitely, don't be alone! Join the Date on Date family and know that Pune IS a great place to be!

Happy Dating!

P.S. I wrote this post on Friday night, a night I least expected to be approached by a random stranger at a bar and actually be offered a free cosmo! WOW! So these things do happen...it'll just happen faster through date on date ;)

Date on Date is Active!

This is the new and official website for Date on Date – A new way to meet people in real life! Stay tuned to this website for more details!