While returning from Shillong last evening, along with a driver and 8 other Canadians, we pulled over to a very modern type of “petrol station” to secure fuel (diesel) for our Sumo. I handed Kuldip (pronounced cool-deep), our driver, Rs.1,000 which usually does the required. Drew, our friend from Yellowknife treated us with some delights from the ice cream vendor. Having just descended from the cool mountain heights of Shillong into the oppressive heat of Guwahati, ice cream could not be refused.
While waiting for us, Kukdip drove the Sumo out of the pump area. Then, he ran up to me and said that the attendant claimed that I had given him a counterfeit Rs.500 bill. Without much thinking I exchanged it for another.
Then I noticed that the bill was all crinkled as compared to the other notes in my pocket which here fresh from the bank and in series. We demanded to see the notes (3 500’s now) that the attendant had from me. He assured us that he had already sent them to the till. A shouting exchange ensued between Kuldip and the attendant plus my friend Shyam, who was quick to join the fray!
I headed for the office and asked for the manager who had already appeared. He called us all into his office. Lots of loud exchanges followed in various languages of which I understood very little. The manager then reached over and grabbed the money bag from the attendant and pulled out the 3 500’s, matched them with another I had in my pocket, and promptly fired the attendant.
Something worth considering if you are contemplating passing on counterfeit bills!
