modonmohan
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This I want to share with you-
Potels Motels
Posted on June 22, 2004 06:30 AM [IST]
Chidanand Rajghatta writes a column 'Indiaspora' in Sunday Times of India.
On this Sunday, June 20, he wrote 'Mississipi myth and masala'.
It all started in the early 1970's. Idi Amini forced some 70,000 Indians, mostly Gujaratis, to move out of Uganda. Some went to UK and the other to USA. They went into the hospitality business. Today some 60% of all budget hotels, typically called motels (sometimes now "Potel Motels") are owned by Indians. Over the years, the owners have taken over more upscale properties such as Marriots, Hiltons, and Holiday Inns. Today, Indian origin immigrants own one-third of the 53,000 hotels in the USA, worth a staggering $37 billion.
I am reminded of an incident in Luton (UK). In 1982, I was there on an assignment from my factory. I had some work with Vauxhall Motors in those days. My wife was also with me and she was fed up with the formal food of the hotel. That evening she had to wait for me a little longer as there were some labour problems in the factory where I was. She heard the news on TV and she really got worried. She had had a bad experience with labour troubles in Kolkata. On my return we went in search of an Indian restaurant. We went in one which was almost empty. The owner himself came out. My wife narrated her problems how she is in trouble with food that she has been getting. He said- "Sister, do not bother try ours." He just asked if we are vegetarian. In almost no time he started serving. We wanted to restrict to two or three things as we were also concerned about the bill. But he did not listen. I thought let me bear it and make my wife happy even at somewhat high cost. The main meal was over along with a sweet dish also. He asked our preference for a tea or coffee. We preferred coffee. And for a long time we waited for a bill. He did not come on his own. I went up to him and requested for the bill. He got up from his chair and said with an exemplary courtesy- "Sir what bill. This is a small treat from us for our sister. You are here for the first time. Please do come to us again. If you need some money, please do not hesitate to ask for it." Those were the days when we used to get limited exchange. He knew the problems of the Indian visitors. I insisted for paying but failed. Why did he not take anything from us? How can he run a business like this? We returned and discussed about it. But I have no answer for the question till today. Naturally we could not go to his place again. Let me tell you he was a Bangladeshi. I still remember the incident and get real happiness. After all there are some for whom religion and country does not make a difference. We are all from the same old subcontinent.
I wish one day we visit US and stay in a Potel Motel near future before it is too late in life and see how they treat us.
-Indra
Category: Religious/Social issues | Permalink | Viewed: 533 times
Comments
I am not sure if the motels that I know of - Motel6, EconoLodge, Howard Johnson - are Potel Motels. However, I really had no idea that 1/3rd of the motels here are Potel Motels!!!
Sure, let's hope we can visit a Potel Motel sometime this year Papa. I bet you will embarrassed and disappointed with their service.
Posted by: Anand Sharma at June 22, 2004 08:38 AM
I live in a small city in South Dakota. There are two Indian families besides me. Both of them are Patels and one of them has a super Eight Motel. I visited quite a bit in the south and East of USA. I agree with you that more than 30% of the lower grade motels ore owned by Patels. Please do not expect much hospitality from them. If they know you are an Indian they will avoid you so that they do not have to give you any extra concession.
I will tell a small incident I still remember about our local Mr. "Potel". I was supposed to visit the local University long time ago for a job interview. I was told to book local super 8 motel and ask for State Rate which was lower than normal. I booked through telephone. The person an the other side seemed to an American lady and was nice enough to book a room at the State rate for me. Somehow, after about 30 minutes, I got a call from Mr. Patel who was the owner of the Motel. He told me that he was sorry and that there were no rooms available at the state rate. Then I contacted the University, they gave me the name of another motel. I phoned, the owner was a Pakistani and he said "please come". The whole motel is your's if there is no room stay with us. He even did not want to talk about the rates. When I finally came he told me that I have come to Mecca. I did not have to worry for anything. I stayed in his motel for 7 days and ate their special food prepared by his family. He refused to take any money. He said if I was born to a muslim parent, I would be a muslim. So I was his brother. What a person! He is my best friend now. I never had a chance to meet the so call Mr. Potel.
Posted by: Indra2 at June 28, 2004 08:42 AM
It's Patel. Not Potel. Generalising a single incident is ridiculous. Besides Indra2's comment is very very Indian. Often we expect to get things free from our fellow citizens. Its just business, nothing personal.
Posted by: Jay at March 9, 2005 03:37 AM
Jay--Since you have changed your first name, why not change the last? See how Potels name themselves: Arvind - Andy, Arti - Amy, Bulabhai - Bob, C - Charles, D - David, Harish - Harry, Girish - Garry, J - Jay, Kalpana - Kay, L - Larry, Mahendra - Mike, N - Nick, R - Ray, S - Sandy etc.... Don't you have the guts to use your own names?? Be brave.
Posted by: John at July 12, 2005 11:57 PM
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