Lufthansa, or to use their full name – Deutsche Lufthansa AG – have, upon the announcement of their innovative “Premium Economy” Class (http://premium-economy.lufthansa.com), floated a prompt about the Indian “virtue” of thrift and the art of bargaining, i.e., the Indian tendency, national biological imperative even, of “Paisa Vasool”.
So let’s take a look at what is hopefully an incisive (if a trifle rambling and multi-pronged) and enlightening look at both the Indian #PasiaVasool attitude and how Teutonic efficiency coupled with the vision and foresight that have made Lufthansa the largest airline in Europe (and probably the most popular and recognizable world-wide) paved the way for #LufthansaPremiumEconomy to become the airborne embodiment of this uniquely Indian trait!
First, let’s look at how India seemingly acquired this trait that has enabled this country to dismember even “the sky is the limit” cliche with its successful space program that’s been around for decades.
India, you see, has been an agrarian economy for most of its history (and by proportion of workforce employed in agriculture, still very much is), perpetually presided over by some form of overlord(s) controlling most of the wealth and resources; making it, despite her ample endowments, a historically poor nation for an overwhelming majority of her populace. This enduring impoverishment and consequent overarching hardship has insidiously buffeted into the “aam aadmi” a number of traits – some of which have evolved into defining characteristics.
Whether it’s the obligatory “no, no, please!”, the first time a host offers food (read “I couldn’t possibly deplete a finite resource of yours which, for all I know, is exiguous for you at this time – unless you insist on it repeatedly, whether out of genuine abundance and affection or to portray yourself to me and the rest of society in a certain manner”) or said “Paisa Vasool” attitude, we Indians are hardwired to not only be averse to waste, but also maximize value at source! And these are most certainly spawned from this same context. It’s a cultural imperative birthed from what is almost a survival instinct to bargain – and until we realize and accept this, we shall foolishly continue to make value judgments about it, rather than embrace it for what it is. It isn’t so much that we’re thrifty, unbeknownst to you, oh watching world, it’s just that if we don’t bargain where we come from, we most likely will be fleeced.
For better or for worse, this is who we are (even though, some of that is changing slowly but surely in a small section of those new middle-class additions to the workforce). Begat by such an unconventional and almost arcane father, it is the single most pervading and ultimately cohesive feature of Indian society – it is what makes us tick, gives us our stereotypes within our borders and without – the juxtaposition of sheer content between the lines that would make the British seem American and a blatant lack of shame (or dogmatic pragmatism if you prefer) that would shame (if you will forgive the meta-phor) all but a bargaining Indian.
For ultimately, I believe, it is this that drives us as a nation in the direction we’re headed – perhaps a trifle lop-sided, but for the most part, a colourful bandwagon – visceral and vehement, moving onward and upward but making it a point to try and stop for every person along the way.
It is ostensibly a surprise that it would take a German carrier to come up with a flight class evocative of an Indian trait, but it is undeniable that a trait averse to even the tiniest wastage and seeking to maximize every bit of utility from every avenue possible espouses efficiency – something so quintessentially German, that even beer could be foreign by comparison. And given what Lufthansa’s Premium Economy Class has to offer, it makes a stronger case than an Indian bargaining:
1. Generous Baggage Allowance
Even if this were their lone selling point for the Premium Economy class, it would be enough for India to take to it like, well, an Indian to a bargain. Every, every, Indian has a regiment’s worth of friends and family who’d like stuff brought to them cheaper than it’s available in India (#PaisaVasool, remember?). Also, 2 x 50 lbs is enough baggage allowance for even the most over-bearing of Indian mothers to satisfactorily saddle their wards with all the “home-stuff you won’t get there”!
2. Spirits & Space
Lets face it, as much of a miracle as air travel is, there’s a good deal for even citizens of developing countries to complain about. And that usually concerns how much of a premium space is at – even for an average-sized person. Well, not to worry, for Lufthansa Premium Economy has that most important grouse cooked and served to you as that most delectable of dishes – a simple, human understanding of the need for personal space that translates into a relaxing flight experience instead of claustrophobic capitalist belt-tightening.
And who wouldn’t like a bit of a drink to go with that comfort and view? Again, Lufthansa Premium Economy has got you covered, taking your experience from relaxed to pleasurable.
3. Cubbyholes & Creature Comforts
There’s no one who can dispute this – sharing armrests is the single most irritating thing on the planet! Why?! Why can they not add a bit of horizontal plastic and give us deliverance? It isn’t too much to ask!
And once again, Lufthansa Premium Economy delivers with not only a little horizontal bar, but what is a luxurious resting place for your arm – your very own, on both sides. ‘Nuff said about that, really.
Add to that an exclusive lounge and a set of simple bare necessities for all coupled with cubbyholes hitherto unseen in air travel, you’re approaching a travel experience where “pleasurable” doesn’t even begin to cut it.
4. Power Entertainment
And this is where Lufthansa Premium Economy absolutely drives home the bargain! Not only do we get yet another offering that leaves you wondering why other carriers have such meagre and downright irritatingly glitchy in-flight entertainment systems, you get individual charging points.
I don’t think anyone even needs to bother to extol the virtues of that in our smartphone and notebook/hand-held computer addicted and productivity obsessed age!
And all of this – at the Economy fares!
And that my friend, is as Paisa Vasool as it gets!!
mohanbhaskar 