Chai Waale – near Santosh Supermarket Anna Nagar

Had been to Chai Waale tea shop near Santosh Supermarket, Anna Nagar.  A friend was there and we just wanted a tea.  First we decided to use a normal tea shop but since we can not sit there, we choose to go the Chai Waale, Anna Nagar.

It was in the underground, and above it was a cake shop.  For a moment, we get confused as to where to go.  We also are likely to get a feeling that both the cake shop and the Chai Waale are one and the same.  After a little confusion, finally we found the underground stair case, which took us down.

One moment we get a feeling of going under the house like in the USA. Hmm……

The problem with this stair case is like a one way.  If some one is coming up, you have to wait up, giving way to them.  If you have gone down half way, then the person coming up has to wait down near the door.

Actually when you go down and some one is waiting at the door, gives us a goosebumps, because it looks like Five Star Hotel maharajah type dressed security waiting for you to open the door.

When you go inside the ambience is good.  There are good number of tables and chairs.  For couples, friends, and individual visitors.

We choose a table with two chairs.  The chairs are ok.  Not so comfortable.  We would feel like they made these chairs so that no one sits for more than their coffee/tea.  And after a few minutes it literally happened.  Will explain below.

Now-a-days, there is a new method of self service is on the cards with these types of Tea/Coffee Shops.  For everything you need to get it done by yourself.

We have to place the order in the cash counter.

We should pay through UPI.

Once paid, on their instructions, we should go and sit in our place. (at this instance, we feel that they may come and deliver to our table, but…..)

Our order will be shouted at once ready.  Like Samosa/Tea, Puff/Coffee – in very loud voice.  (I felt like my teacher shouting the marks very loud in our class)

We, as customers, may be seriously involved in some discussions, and again they will shout.  This time like Omni Bus conductor.

Then we realize, we should personally go and collect the order.

We have to abruptly stop our conversation, wherever it is, and we should go and collect our order.  Else, they seemed like they will keep shouting.

Since we went for Samosa/Tea and Puff/Coffee, we started punching/pinching the samosa and puff before the tea and coffee and started eating…..with our hands.  For some one said, the most cleanest spoon in the world are our hands only.  Half way through our discussions and eating, we needed water.

There was this man, who kept collecting empty glasses and plates and cleaning the tables.  A North Indian.  (Obviously they have become an unseparable part of our South Indian life and we welcome that)

We requested him to give us water….and he did not understand it first.  Then we realized (ohhhh……..so many realizations, here…….) he did not understand tamil.

Then my friend told him, “paani”.

for which he said, ‘boootal’

We both were confused.  We looked at him and said again “paani” and he repeated what he said.

(See my comments above for realization)  we realized, he is asking “bottle” for water.

We said “no’ normal.  He nodded his head and went in.

it took nearly 10 mins and we did not get water.  Again, we went to the counter and asked what happened for water.

the counter guy said, ‘wait’..

in two minutes, there was a shout, ‘Water….’

Oh…again we should collect.

Luckily my friend, who thought a little proactively, also collected the tissue paper.  Because we were sure it is self service and we should do everything.

Finally after half hour, we finished our drink but not our discussion.

We kept on discussing.  Suddenly there was few movements near our chair.

First the table cleaner came and cleared the empty glasses.

Second one more staff of the shop came near us and was standing.

Third another staff came and gave one prathakshina of us both.

Fourth, the counter guy came and was standing near our table and stared at us with an inquiring look.

We could not decipher the code, yet. When I looked with puzzle, my friend told me that the tea shop wants us to move because we finished the drinks.

Oh…..

With a smile we started to move out.

When I came out, my overall experience was like working on a part time in a tea shop.  We did not have the advantage of having a business drink.

The cost is good.  For two persons with samosa/puff and tea/coffee, it was only Rs.115/- altogether.

But, the treatment could have been better.