Are they poor?
By Kalyni2011
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
India
December 20, 2010 1:44am CST
Yesterday i came to my daughter's house by train with my husband. It was slow running 'passenger train'. we were bored, we took tea in train, the vendor charged SIX rupees for about 30 ml tea, the quality was very poor,,
My professor husband started his research, he asked the guy about the tea business in train, the boy said he sells 200+ cups in train between two junctions, earns more than 500 rupees, but loses most in gambling with other vendors, some times they drink local made rice wine, goes home with 50 rupees or less..
I really wonder, why they do this, are they really poor?
While travelling do you buy tea from vendors?
happy mylotting, cheers
kalyni
1 person likes this
13 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (16532)
• China
26 Dec 10
I bave never bought tea from verdors while travelling .When I travel I usually carry about enough tea with me in case I can be taken in by vendors,in addition, I am very particular about my tea.
1 person likes this
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
2 Apr 11
Good idea to carry in a small thermoflask always.
Thanks for response.
Happy posting, cheers.
Namastey. 
Kalyani
Happy posting, cheers.
Namastey.
Kalyani
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
20 Dec 10
At the United States, we don't have those people selling tea at the train, we could buy those soda from Vending machine easily. At India, or other countries, that might be a different story then. I understood that those people making money with their sweat and hard labor, but losing that much money within a second like that, that just not worth it.
@abstruct (2)
• Canada
21 Dec 10
This is what is called the vicious cycle of poverty. Once you are caught in that web, you act irrationally. The reason this guy spends his money on gambling is that all his friends and advisers are from similar backgroud, and do not have any vision of what to do with that money.
Also jobs like that are so tiring, to the extent that once you make a little money, you feel like spending some part to reward yourself....in this case in the wrong way.
I do not blame him/them. They are caught in that trap/web called vicious cycle of poverty. Until someone with a higher vision goes to his aid, there is not much he can do to help himself.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
We dont have vending machines in train, but there are some in big stations,thnks for telling situation in your country
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 10
I think that the tea vendor sounds very poor. He is desperate to win some more money with his gambling hobby. Earning 5000 rupees and then only having 50 rupees is very silly. The man should be spending money on food. I think 200 cups of tea between two junctions is very good trading. It was a shame for you and your husband that the quality of the tea was very poor. I don't drink tea because I don't like the taste of it. Instead I buy my mom a cup of tea because it is her favorite drink. I would prefer a bottle of water or a fruit juice. These would both be refreshing drinks to have.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
Dear max, 500 rupees a day is enough, even one can manage with 100 only, they are not poor at all, thnxs for your response
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
21 Dec 10
Perhaps the local government must be informed of what they are doing. Also the train company must be informed of the high cost of their teas for sale. There must be some sort of control. Easy money, easy out.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
Govt is aware of this, railway police have their share from this money..
thnxs for response
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
21 Dec 10
Well, they could probably improve themselves and make a better living if ever they spend money wisely. There are a lot of people out there who does the same. Earnings for the day are often use on vices and other non essential items instead of saving them for a better use. But well, its all up to them since its their earnings and perhaps this is what gives them happiness. I do buy, some drinks when I am traveling. Usually its softdrinks or water.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
They certaily can improve, if sincerly like to, but they are not.
thnxs for your views
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Dec 10
lost ,my whole response. starting over and using clipboard. we do not have tea or coffee vendors on our trains. but I agree that they probaly are well off but lose their money through gambling.Gambling can be
such an addiction they keep on ev en after they won and play til they are deep in debt.Here in the US we have both sexes gambling and also get addicted so they just keep on after winning and lose so much they get into trouble.This causes big problems specailly if they gamble familyfunds needed for cost of living. we are psychologists who treat nothing but these people.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
In trains there are female vendors who sell penuts, fried rice, seasonal fruits at high price, they too gamble lol
thnxs for your opinion
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
20 Dec 10
We cannot bring tea or coffee from home hence I do take coffee or tea in the train. I know for sure that it is watery and of very less quantity. But whatelse can we do? At least we are getting that in that place. The coffee vendors are not poor, but spendthrifts. By the way the tea or coffee supplied in the trains, are they not prepared by the train pantry (kitchen)?
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
This was a passenger train, no reserved accomodation, only second class coaches, no pantry car, if journey is longer like our Hybd trips we carry our own food and drinks..
thnxs for response, cheers
@joedollarhuat (580)
• Philippines
20 Dec 10
Greetings :)
I don't think they are poor. I guess this is another case of people seemingly poor due to lifestyle but, behind this lifestyle of coming with less than 50 rupees is the reality of gambling. Take out the gambling of this guy, that is 500+ rupees a day. I am not a local but, judging from the amount I guess that is enough.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
Thanks for the greetings I agree they are not poor, but they are addicted to gambling and drinks.
Cheers
@kodukodu84 (1569)
• Malaysia
20 Dec 10
No I don't think they are poor because they can afford to gamble that much money when they want to and not getting fed up of losing their money because they still do it. It must be because of their addiction over the games. By the way I also always travel by train but I don't buy anything from the vendors. I always take my own drink with me because then it costs cheaper for me too. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
They are not poor friend, if journey is longer we too carry our own food and drinks
thnxs for response
@dibs2010 (132)
• India
20 Dec 10
This is not poorness, this is a business process. the quality of tea was poor because of the business. if you think that the quality of tea should be good as your house then you are very wrong because if they try to make tea as like your home tea style then their business will not run properly. if they make tea as like your home tea then the cost of the tea will be Rs.50/-. outside food quality can't be mach your home food quality. this is the real fact of business.....
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
I think it should be five rupees only for good tea
thnxs for sharing friend
@jattari (7)
• India
20 Dec 10
actually it is all about the habbit one makes. If the same amount ie 500 per day is calculated it becomes 1500/- per mounth, wcich is a handsome ammount. They are not intend to change tjeir daily bahit. I would like to comment that if they spend somethimng for their relxation "i mean if thy drink a bit at the end of the day" it does not matter but how come one can spent his so hadr earned wages in gambling.
If this could be stoped i think the status of india would be much better. According to me why dont thy realize this fact........
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
23 Dec 10
Yes @500 per day 15000 per month is decent amount, most can't earn in a job, but this is easy money for them, hence spend that way.
thanks for your opinion..
happy posting
@Prasmit (22)
• India
7 Apr 11
Hi,
A nice question Kalyani. My opinion is they are not poor. He earns 500rs which is a very good earning. for that age he is earning so much. But he himself is becoming poorer by not saving a part of his earning and spending the money on gambling...
Nowadays being a software engg ppl earn about only 300rs per day. they are striving hard to save some money and also to lead life.
Compared to a software engg the guy could have been lead a comfortable life and improve in life.
My ans will be, the guy is not poor, but actually becoming poor day by day.
By the way i dont have tea, coffee and all :)
