Thursday, October 20, 2005

Welcome to Sayeshaz!

Whenever someone new posts a comment on my blog, I say, "Welcome to Sayeshaz!"

Going by what's happening here lately, I can't help but get the feeling that Sayeshaz is like a tiny bar tucked away in the corner of the street. It may not be the most happening place in the city, but it's one of those tiny bars that only appeal to some people, who find it cosy and choose to hang out with their friends there. There's music, friendship, comfort and love at Sayeshaz. Aplenty.

Sayesha is your gracious but really khadoos hostess with loads of attitude (both good and bad), who runs the bar. She concocts her own drinks, and everything's on the house (yeah, she's a multi-millionaire). And the hostess does not take orders. The drinks are served on the table, that's the deal. Take it or leave it. She doesn't run the bar to make money (cos like I mentioned, she's a multi-millionaire) but does it for herself. She likes to hang out at the bar, even when there's nobody. She likes the feel of the place. And she likes the people who hang out at the bar. Most of them, at least.

There are some people who could not stand Sayeshaz in the beginning. They hated the music, the decor, the drinks, the hostess, everything. But as they began to understand her, they started liking the place. And at the same time. there are some people whom she could not stand in the beginning, and she wondered why they came to the bar, but as she started understanding where they were coming from, she started liking them.

The bar has a couple of regulars, who have now become friends of the hostess and she is fiercely protective of them. She doesn't know most of them by names and has never asked. Some choose to disclose their names, and some don't. And she's fine with both. Some of these people have their own bars, and they leave their cards behind. The hostess likes to drop by their bars, leaving her own unguarded. Sometimes, she and her friends hang out at these other bars, but at other times everyone gets busy and has no time to meet up anywhere. On some days, someone gets very drunk and senti, and she has to bundle him/her off in a cab homewards.

Sometimes, some of the patrons like to take a backseat and don't say anything, but she knows they are there. But sometimes they really are away on business trips and are missing from Sayeshaz for days, sometimes weeks and months. The hostess pretends not to care, but she misses them, especially if any of the regulars are missing. But when they return from their trips, they drop by Sayeshaz and pick up the conversation from where they had left it and suddenly everything is all right again.

There's no bouncer at the door at Sayeshaz and there's no cover charge and anyone can walk in without having to show an ID. Especially on Thursdays, which is MAC night. Free flow of brickbats until midnight. The MACs are either other bar-owners or their patrons who drop by once in a while to see what's goin' on at Sayeshaz. The hostess does not mind them hanging around, but if you get drunk and create trouble, you'll be in trouble yourself.

The hostess has a glass of orange juice for herself at the table, which is enough to keep her in a state of constant inebriation. Once in a while, the hostess gets really high and does a fancy flip-and-throw-wine-glasses routine, and the patrons are left entertained. And sometimes, someone applauds her. Then she gets all hyper and tries some really dumb trick that backfires and the wine glass lands on her head and shatters. And it bleeds and hurts. But the show goes on. The show must go on.

Then there are some who just hate the place. Who hate the hostess and hate the drinks and hate the other patrons. They
wonder why they even set foot in the place. They walk out in disgust after saying a few drunken words to her. But some of them come back the next day. And then wonder why they even set foot in the place... and then they walk out in disgust... and they come back the next day... and so the cycle repeats... However, for those who storm off in disgust, the hostess could not care less. She'd rather you storm off for good than come back every day to tell her that you hate her bar. So don't make the mistake of thinking that if you go off, you'll bring her share prices down.

Her business does not run because of you guys.

Her business runs because it's not a business.

Ok I think I'm very drunk now... someone call me a cab!

"Sayesha, you're a cab!"

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! :D

Ok, now I'm really drunk!


Hic!



64 comments:

Rays Of Sun said...

Ok! me first:)

Rays Of Sun said...

Like the post, just like I always do:)
And...then there are some people who 'keep visiting', love what's on the table, eat n make merry, offer few suggestions and some also..'take it to-go":) to relish it later.

Rays Of Sun said...

#reverend,

Eh, life changes in one minute's time:)

oxymoron said...

friday starts off with a good early morning (or a late thursday nite) drink at the sayeshaz! bring on the music... bring on the drinks!
cheers to all!

Rahul said...

You won't believe after reading first couple of paragraphs I was wondering if you wrote this when you were not sane.....And then you said it at the end :-)

Good post nevertheless.....

Thanu said...

Wow, great post. I especially liked the part where ppl leave their cards at the bar. We shud all travel to Singapore on a given day make this bar a reality ;)

-thanu

Nandya said...

and then there are some ..who follow a girl and get here by accident...and find it well a little je ne sais qua...

bollocks....and plenty of it to go around...

Anonymous said...

hey i never got no welcome to.. when i wrote my first comment. i want my money back!

Anonymous said...

heres a toast to you Saz!!

and I was having this dream about bloggers meet where I was pissed off at ur name :P
noooo hold it. just 'coz its a long one! else its a unique and lovely name! Anyways so I named you Saz!!!

pssttt u shud have posted this yesterday- I would have named you inebriate :D

virdi said...

hic hic hic!!!

aye Sayesha, ek patiala peg dena... chalo poori botal de do, aaj aapun ke paas bahut rokhda hai...

hic hic hic!!!

*thud*

V..

Anonymous said...

nice post..liked the analogy :)

Sayesha said...

#ROS,
Hahaha! You're also under "influence", huh? ;)

#REVerenD,
Thanks! :)
ps: Looks like you're under "influence" too, just like ROS and me! ;)

#ROS,
Thanks girl! It's amazing to see such warmth from a new entry :)

#Oxy,
I echo it -- cheers to all! :)

#Rahul,
Oye! I am not "drunk" drunk! I don't get drunk! That too on a Thursday night? That too, on a day I have night classes?? Gosh! You must be nuts! :D
It's just the damn orange juice that makes me high :)

#Thanu,
Yes dear, I can visit other bars only if they leave a card behind, but Sayeshaz is just as open to those without their own bars.

#Nandu,
Yeah, there are lots of drunk dudes who follow girls into Sayeshaz to see what's goin' on. ;)

#Rene,
I was talking to a regular when you walked in, but I did not nod to acknowledge your entry. You were too busy chatting up that hot girl to notice! ;)
ps: You want your money back??? There's no money talk at Sayeshaz, my dear. Everything's on the house!

#Ashish,
Saz?? Arre wah, bada apt naam hai, for the musically inclined Sayesha. Thank you thank you! :)
ps: I see you're suddenly nice to me today. Kal MAC night kuchh zyada happening ho gaya nahin? You see that big bruise on my head?
ps: I couldn't have posted it yesterday, this post is a result of what happened yesterday :)

#Humjoli,
Orange juice! Orange juice! Orange juice zindabaad!! :D

#Spammy,
Thanks man. Did ya notice yourself in one of the paragraphs? ;)

#Vikram,
Oye, you're a new entry! Yahan toh even regulars can't place orders. Jo hai woh hai, take it or leave it. :)

#Pradyot,
Thanks! You know what? I think I am still high from last night's orange juice, your photo looks upside down to me man! :O

Rays Of Sun said...

Ok Pradyot,

I have not yet lost the count...4th girl who has probs with your upside-down image!Act on it FAST:D

Bhole said...

Khadoos hostess, eh?

Sayeshaz bar....Then what is a teetotaller doing here :-)

Bhole

L said...

Ok, now I'm really drunk!

Hmmm.. last line mein sach bol dala na..!! I was thinking all thru the long post why is Sayesha writing all this..!!

Sayesha said...

#Virdi,
Shux I missed your comment in my drunken stupor! Sorry! :P

I don't serve Patiala peg, so apna rokda apni jeb mein rakh!

And I love the "thud"! Koi le ke jao re isko yahan se! :D

#ROS,
Nooooooo! I love that upside-down pic. Don't ask him to change it!! :O

#Bhole,
Teetotallers are also welcome at Sayeshaz. Considering she is "almost one" herself. Haha, I like the concept - "almost teetotaller" ;)

#L,
My dear, I hope you know that you can get drunk on things other than alcohol! :)

Angelsera said...

Hi Sayesha,
yours is prob the only bar I hang out in these days.Although I dont comment so much.I like the fact tt I can sit ard all day and not say a word and still have fun!
Best part is I dont have to leave cos of 'too much smoke' :)

Hope your bar is always open!

Sayesha said...

#Vik,

//Baap re, So much hostility? :)

Hostility nahin re... it's my kinda hospitality. Take it or leave it. ;)

#Angelsera,

//Best part is I dont have to leave cos of 'too much smoke' :)

Simply LOVE this statement of yours! Yeah, no smokers allowed into Sayeshaz! It's all clear, the air, the minds, the feelings. :)

Parth Anand said...

Sayeshaz is a fun and happening place to be...hostess thodi khadoos hai...but after a couple of drinks herself..she starts rocking!!
lol..

Sahil said...

intelligent post. loved how u got all ur points across in a non-arrogant way.

"Ok I think I'm very drunk now... someone call me a cab!

"Sayesha, you're a cab!"

I actually laughed out loud at that. What have you done to my sense of humour?!?!?!?!

Anonymous said...

There is this really adorable country song "I love this bar" by Toby Keith. Look it up. The poetry in the song is almost identical to the prose in your post. I bet you'll like it.
=D

ritzkini said...

point made...beautifully at that...*applause*...good one..

Anonymous said...

slainte!

i love the sake in this place. its just the way ma makes it. n i love the company more. a hobbit from victorian england, a pop tart from america, a socialite ring-keeper from hell...i love sasha's!

herez looking at ya, kid!

Anonymous said...

//Did ya notice yourself in one of the paragraphs? ;)

u know what...i could identify myself in all kinds of visitors ..err.. drunkards ;)

Jay said...

"She concocts her own drinks, and everything's on the house (yeah, she's a multi-millionaire). And the hostess does not take orders. "

What is that wor .....er .... "Oozing" attitude eh? ;p

Kaala Kavva said...

Ok I think I'm very drunk now... someone call me a cab!

"Sayesha, you're a cab!"


hahahah
thats what we do when ppl message
"Dude! call me asap"

Siddhu said...

Sayesha....that allegory was kafkaesque...:) And dammit, looks like i'm no longer a regular at Sayeshaz - I hate work! I sometimes miss my favorite bar! :) Keep serving 'em drinks up, hostess! Your taste suits me fine. :D

Ravi said...

You did not welcome me to Sayehsaz. Perhaps it was because I slowly creeped in your bar & before you realised, became one of your regulars. And then there was no point in welcoming.

Sayesha said...

#Parth,
//hostess thodi khadoos hai...but after a couple of drinks herself..she starts rocking!!

Hahahahahahhaha!! That's SO hilarious! :D
But true! :O

#Sahil,
//What have you done to my sense of humour?!?!?!?!

Err... made it better? :P

#Parasite,
Googled up the song, it is cute! :)

We got winners, we got losers
Chain smokers and boozers
And we got yuppies, we got bikers
We got thristy hitchhikers
And the girls next door dress up like movie stars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

We got cowboys, we got truckers
Broken-hearted fools and suckers
And we got hustlers, we got fighters
Early birds and all-nighters
And the veterans talk about their battle scars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

[Chorus:]
I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just walkin' through the front door
Puts a big smile on my face
It ain't too far, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

I've seen short skirts, we got high-techs
Blue-collar boys and rednecks
And we got lovers, lots of lookers
And I've even seen dancing girls and hookers
And we like to drink our beer from a mason jar

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Yes I do

I like my truck (I like my truck)
I like my girlfriend (I like my girlfriend)
I like to take her out to dinner
I like a movie now and then

But I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just trollin' around the dance floor
Puts a big smile on my face
No cover charge, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

We got divorcees and a big bouncer man
An old jukebox and a real bad band
We got waitresses and we got barflies
A dumb-ass and a wise-guy
If you get too drunk just sleep out in your car

Reason number 672 why

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Play it on out boys
Beer-thirty's over
Got to take it on home

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
I just love it

#Tarzan,
Thanks! :)

#Fao,
Thanks, girl! :)

#Spammy,
Hahahaha! I think you were one of those who didn't like me at first, and whom I didn't like at first. :)

#VT,
Wow, thanks! :)

#Jay,
Hehehe! :P

#Ze Exaggeratorr!
Thanks man! At least someone finds it funny! :D
ps: Sahil, hah!

#Sid,
You're one of the regulars who's away on a looong "business trip". When he gets back, we will pick up the conversation from where we left it. :)

#Ravi,
I may not say the actual words "Welcome to Sayeshaz" but you can tell from my reply to the newbie's comment whether he/she is welcome or not. :)

Dreamcatcher said...

Sayeshaz is awesome. Ive spent a lot of time just looking from the outside, admiring its flexibility and warmth.
And this is my first comment.

Anonymous said...

Broken-hearted fools and suckers
donno about broken hearted but guess who is the biggest fool here and sucks so much :D
muaahhahahahah, Saz!

Anonymous said...

Hmm! Odd coz I had posted a comment and now it's not here! I wondered for a second ke maine aisa kya likha :-) This is what I had written (more or less).

Sayesha, awesome post. And waise toh main bars nahi jaati, nor do I drink, but I like the feel of This "bar" and eagerly take in what's dished out :-) Wait and see, the clientele will be increasing with time, and aren't we glad we have no kami of space here :-)

Sayesha said...

#DC,
Hey hey! Welcome! :) And thanks, the warmth comes from the people who hang out here, I couldn't do without it! :)

#Ashish,
Guess who's gonna be broken-legged and broken-armed when I finally meet him? Muahahaha! Ashish! :D

#Hey Harshi,
I'm surprised myself! 'Cos I got your comment in my gmail, but it didn't show up here! Now I'm scared -- what if blogger shuts down one fine day without warning?? What would I do??? :O

Anonymous said...

Sayeshaz

Nicely Written !

BTW r there actually bars which drop drunkards home in a cab ?

TC

Anonymous said...

Sayesha,
Not to worry. If not blogger, then somewhere else. Fans will find you :-)

Sayesha said...

#HoliDevil,

//BTW r there actually bars which drop drunkards home in a cab ?

You mean, other than Sayeshaz? Nope, I have no idea!

#Harshi,
I will find you guys! :)
ps: But I'd better back up my old posts! :O

Anonymous said...

Tres Bien!

Once again, Anon911

Anonymous said...

I was thinking the same thing Sayesha, yes, back up your posts! :-) It's scary to think of losing this material.

Ravi said...

Maybe you should stop callling the blog - "Sayesha's World" & rename it as "Sayesha's bar".

Sayesha said...

#Anon911,
Hey, you're still around!
Merci, mon ami! :)

#Harshi,
Yeah, have started to back up now!

#Ravi,
Noooooooooooooo! :D

Sayesha said...

#Vikram,
Did you say invaluable comments?

Hahahaha! Good one, Vik! I needed that laugh! :D

ps: On a serious note, all comments are backed up in my gmail, buddy!

Sayesha said...

#Vikram,

And you dun have to spoil a serious 'ps' with a serious comment. Sheesh.

Ok, now we've lost it, Vik! Let's STOP! :D

MeAwinner said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
MeAwinner said...

Sayeshaz........
I am part of Sayeshaz...... even when my bar is full of drink.. and even when I am out of drinks at my Bar..Even when I am tired to prepare my own drink.. i always have that belief that i will have some good drinks at Sayeshaz.. :)

I love this bar always as its my best friend's Bar.. Never out of Drinks..at least for me..;)(High Expectations)
Thanks for Writing.. Pls keep Writing,
Love,
Maneesha

Sayesha said...

#Hey Maneesha,

Thanks for the faith, girl! :) You make me believe that Sayeshaz will always 'be in business' and never run outta 'drinks on the house'
:)

Raj said...

Hey, this is my first comment on ur blog. :-)

Sayesha said...

Hi Raj,
Welcome to Sayeshaz! :)

aditi said...

Hey Sayesha! Im a regular at the bar too !! I come here.chill for a bit.. see whats new..and leave silently.. without intruding or leavin my mark.... i loved this post of urs!!
AND YES!I reely like ur bar.. is kind of an addiction.. makes u wanna come back.. coz makes u feel comfy and at home! do leave ur mark on my page!

Sayesha said...

#Aditi,
Hiii, girl! Welcome to Sayeshaz! Though you're already a regular without my knowledge, so a customary nod of the head should do, eh? :)

The Girl Who Sold The World said...

Read my lips...er...words: YOUR BLOG ROCKS!
For me, "rock, rocking" etc are very precious terms which I use for particular things...and your supercool bar is there among them!;)
I love the drinks that you serve here and Sayeshaz has got me addicted. :)
Now, me going back to have the other drinks that Sayesha has served. :D

Sayesha said...

#The girl,
Oye bewdi, watch those drinks! Tu talli ho gayi hai re! :D

Adi Oso-Groot Finch said...

oye.... how come i never ever got a 'Welcome to Sayeshaz'!!

thik hai i'm not a regular commentator... lekin mujhe bhi welcome to kara kar!

RB said...

Hey! Have been reading your blog on & off for some time now. Read the latest post, got directed to this one and realllly felt like leaving a comment.
Lovely post. And truly, the essence. :-)

Bhavya said...

Lovely post!

Hey u never said "Welcome To Sayeshaz" to me :(

Sayesha said...

#raven,
Tu toh purana bewda hai yaar, tujhe kya welcome? :)

#Aarbee,
Thanks. :)

#Bhavya,
Sorry, I'll say it now (without the annoying z this time!): Welcome to Sayesha's bar!!! :)

Bhavya said...

better late than never :)

VIDYA said...

Hey!When was this added?Lovin the intro to the bar,Bhai!
And LOL at "Sayesha,you're a cab!"Haha :D

cresendo'sinthemind-Euphrenia said...

I am h...ooked, for long time but said it now after downing some at yours only SAyeshaZ

Problem-child :) said...

:D
LOLLLZZZZ
truly entertainin...hopin 2 b bcome a regular at this bar!!!:P

Wanderer said...

Wow...i loved evrything abt ur blog...b it introduction..name...write-ups..I m so glad that i found ur bar...
Esha u rock..

M said...

A very interesting concept...love ur conversations between ur niece and urself....:-)

damn good...i am following u lady!!!!

J Mitt said...

It was well past midnight on the highway when I thumbed a passing car. As luck would have it, happened to be an old acquaintance. He remembered what I usually look for, 24/7 bars, one for every mood. He has pointed me in the direction of quite a few of them. And thus here I am.
And slurping it all up; loving the cocktail ! And it's all on the house. Bravo .

Pooja Cornelius said...

Hi Sayesha. I have been following your blog since sometime now. One of my friend Yamini suggested I should read your blog. There are times when I am extremely low and your posts help me cheer up!I am surely going to thank Yamini, but I am taking this opportunity to thank you too, for I was living with a heavy heart since a few days, you helped me ease my pain. Thanks a million!!!!!!!!!!

Lips n Berries said...

Just stumbled across your blog girl and already loving it! Love thy humour.