When I was driving my Mom's car last week I noticed she had a tube of Mentos in her cupholder. I don't see Mentos around that often, but when I do see them I always think of India.
It was a long time ago - about 10 years. It was hot. The New Delhi traffic was crazy. Everything from sports cars to elephants to sacred cows sharing 4 lanes of traffic; everyone with an engine driving like tomorrow wasn't coming. And every time the taxi stopped at the lights, we felt like Michael Jackson on holiday. We were mobbed instantly. Beggars and scammers and people selling phone cards would swarm the car and try to get our attention - hoping we'd toss some money out the window. "No, thank you" we said. "No thank you." And, to the driver "Can't you close the window?" (It was broken).
By the end of the afternoon we were tired and sweaty. We weren't saying "thank you" anymore. Just "No. No. No."
One young woman was even more aggressive than the rest. We weren't even looking at the merchandise anymore, just saying "no, no, no" on auto-pilot everytime the car rolled to a stop. But she didn't take no for an answer. She threw a roll of Mentos right into the car. Hit my friend in the head with it.
We were jaded by then. "Throw it back," I said. "She just wants us to feel guilty and pay her." My friend threw it back. But she woman hurled it back into the car, just as the light changed and the driver shifted into gear. We looked back. The woman was wearing a "Mentos" t-shirt, and had a big sign with her. "Promotion. Try new Mentos. Free." Oh.
My friend opened the roll and passed the candies around the car.
"Thanks," I said. Turns out I like Mentos. But it's a bit easier to enjoy them while I'm cruising around Saskatoon.
Hmmm... Sounds like good practice was experienced in India dodging the Mentos; no doubt it prepared you for driving on gravel roads in rural Sask!
Posted by: Maureen | March 26, 2009 at 07:25 PM
This is a great story! I was completely captivated. My kids like Mentos but I have never quite figured out why. I'm a black licorice kind of gal myself, so maybe that explains it.
I think when I see them in the check-out aisles at grocery stores now, I'll think of your story.
Posted by: Sally Tubello | March 27, 2009 at 09:44 AM
hmmm...don't see my comment. Will check back later.
Posted by: Annemarie | May 23, 2009 at 04:25 AM
I loved that story. I will keep it in mind if my husbands work ever sends us there as he threatens so often. I will remember to make sure my driver's car windows close. :-)
Mentos make me think of my parents who would buy Mentos every time they checked out at the local diner. My, then 3 year old, daughter would look longingly at the display of Mentos and then lovingly at the doting grandparents, back and forth, until they bought them - two for a dollar.
PS - Saskatoon is another place my husband's company almost sent us...Not sure how I felt about that. :-)
Posted by: Annemarie | May 23, 2009 at 04:26 AM