My Ammi ji says that I can be extremely ill-mannered at times.
To prove her point, she narrates this incident when I once accompanied her on a visit to her dentist. The dentist, a cheerful lady, was almost the same age as my Ammi ji’s and when she came out to see my Ammi ji off, I “didn’t bother to greet her” (as my Ammi ji’s version goes). After receiving a stern look from my Ammi ji, I managed to say Assalam-o-Alaikum to the dentist. Afterwards, Ammi ji gave one of the most historic compliments I have ever received. She had said, “Tumhein tou batana parrta hai ke kis ko salam karna hai.” (You need to be told that who is to be greeted).
I would agree, to some extent, that I am ill-mannered. I have almost always no clue about what to say on certain occasions, and even if I would try to follow the crowd, I would miserably fail. I, thus, find it better to keep my mouth shut, and even that can be regarded by some as a demonstration of how much of a discourteous brat I am. Also, to my disadvantage, I am known as a chirpy fellow at some places, and a cold and reserved man at some other places. Therefore, people find it strange when I decide to keep quiet, or when I try to say some words relating to the happy or sad occasion, and they ultimately conclude that I have no sense at all.
So why am I writing all this?
I recently came to know that this blog/diary/journal has been mentioned in Spider‘s December issue. My first reaction was like, what? Ulta Seedha is mentioned in Spider? Then I read that article and felt honoured. Among all the blogs mentioned were some I admire myself, and seeing my own among them was great and strange at the same time. But on the whole, I was excited. And when I checked the stats for this random corner of mine, I was amazed by the amount of traffic it was getting. All due to some words written in Spider.
Then came the question of what-to-do-next. Keeping in view my past record of poor reactions and responses, I guess I would, yet again, just remain quiet. But for once, I am feeling that that’s not the way it should be. Even if it sounds crazy on my part, I guess I should go and say some words which would show my appreciation.
So, Spider! Thank you very much! You have made my day! 
And just a little note, this time my Ammi ji didn’t need to tell me anything.
22 comments
Vaqas ASHRAF
Dec 16, 2004 at 7:56 pm
mmmm..too late to mention SPIDER.
Anju
Dec 17, 2004 at 12:26 am
wow, congratulations on the mention in spider! I’m sure your Ammi would be proud she didn’t have to tell you to say thank you
Hala
Dec 17, 2004 at 1:19 am
Congrats, Saadat! I wanted to be the one to inform you about Spider, but I guess I’m quite late!
Abez
Dec 17, 2004 at 4:28 am
Lolz @ the chiry fellow, that phrase makes me laugh and for some reaon, think of you as a cricket, haha. Congrats on the Spider mention! I’ve been told I’m in this issue too, someone remind me to pick one up, I keep forgetting…
NJ
Dec 17, 2004 at 8:26 am
well… same goes for me too… my mum needs to remind me to say salam to ppl also… and mention in Spider Mag… wayy to go!
Gul
Dec 17, 2004 at 1:34 pm
Oh Congrates on getting yr blog’s mention in the mag…Really it deserves.Now i think u have to change yr blog title from Ulta seedha to Seedha Seedha
ya phir sab kuch seedha nothing is ulta here 
Ohhhh!!! after the miseries about not to convey Salam to others at first thats all reminded about my part…But i dont think its my mis-behave manner….i dont know what kind of dish start to flame up in my ever confusing mind that what i want i cant able to find out the right path to do it
yasmine
Dec 17, 2004 at 8:56 pm
speaking of blog mentions, you’re also over here:
http://pub2.bravenet.com/vote/vote.php?usernum=131619791&cpv=2
yay! =)
wild1
Dec 17, 2004 at 9:49 pm
whoa!! hv had tht issue around fer days..abt time i read it
congrats waise.
Saady
Dec 18, 2004 at 4:42 am
Nice blog dude ! first time me here !
Congrats on the spider thingy !
Saadat
Dec 18, 2004 at 8:27 am
Vaqas: Yeah, that’s me. Ammi ji also says that I often forget about things too.
Anju: Thanks! (By the way, my Ammi ji doesn’t even know what a blog is!)
Hala: Thanks!
Abez: Haha, cricket, huh? Then maybe I need some ants to stuff some sense in my head. And go check the issue out, quick! And thanks!
NJ: Thanks! All moms are alike, aren’t they? Or maybe it’s in the new (read: spoiled!) generation?
Gul: Thanks! And believe me, there are a LOT of things which are ulti here. About the not-able-to-find-out-the-right-path thing: it happens with me too. Always.
Yasmine: So are you! =)
Wild1: Thanks! And go read it, you’ll find much better mentions there than this one.
Saady: Thanks, dude! And welcome!
sh_guf
Dec 18, 2004 at 5:54 pm
..Wonderful…
…Mubarak ho…
Hamari zindagi mein to aaj tak wo din nahi aayaa jab dear Ammi ji khush huvi hon…. aap ki zindagi mein aa jaaey to Advance MUBARAK !!
Owl
Dec 18, 2004 at 11:57 pm
Mabrook bro!
faizee
Dec 19, 2004 at 4:36 am
congrats,saadat!
knicq
Dec 19, 2004 at 4:26 pm
Salamz Chotey Bhai…
If ever I meet your Ammiji, I will dast badasta commend her on bringing up such a honihaar bacha…
See, she doesn’t need to tell you anymore…
If Manji were to meet Ammiji the one thing she would ask her is:”Bahanji, kia pilaya hai aap ne betey ko? Main to thak gayee is gadhey par mehnat kartey kartey…”
Many congratulations on the double honour Bro. You know what that means now, right?
You will need to update more often….
You owe it to us readers!
RoTi
Dec 20, 2004 at 2:59 am
fit blog hai dost. and congrats. and keep saying salam bro. i think the philosphy is when in doubt…say salam.
and maybe this is supposed to be in ur guestbook? oop. walaikumsalam.
sh_guf
Dec 20, 2004 at 8:44 am
…and you know bhai what my dear Amman jaan would say:”Merey saarey bachoon ne mujhey itna tang nahi kiya jitna iss(honihaar) ne”… I’ve to remind dear amman G again n again of my double attempt for ammey… n she replies… Ki faaidah… jab aaj bhi mujhey khaana le ker tumhaarey peechchey bhaagna perta hai…
Moms are great…can’t compromise at perfection…
sh_guf
Dec 20, 2004 at 8:54 am
…well well, Dads too, are great…
p.s. This is a special compliment for Nadeem Bhai…he too,is one of the great Dads…we know… !
The Pioneer bud...of Ulta Seedha
Dec 20, 2004 at 2:12 pm
hi bud…
many crowed around me also having the same thoughts… i am OOT PATAANG guy…i am waiting 4 my teacher 4 my mannered lessons….i need someone
Congrat…u r in WEB MAG…thats the URL, Blog category & u r the 13th…
http://www.spider.tm/dec2004/checkemout.html
Yasmeen Mentioned URL of
Best Pakistan Blog
Ulta Seedha 16 Votes 9%
SADI..The Rising Star..
thats the instant reaction till next time… byZzz from 21st reaction guy…
Saadat
Dec 20, 2004 at 4:25 pm
Sh_guf: Bayhad shukriya! Aur advance khair mubarak bhi. Umeed karta hon ke aap ki zindagi mein bhi jald woh din aayay jab aap ki Amman jan aap se khush hon aur hamesha khush rahein.
As for the moms-never-compromise-at-perfection thing: Agreed. Fully agreed. My Ammi ji is the biggest perfectionist I have seen. She wants everything done with a 100% preciseness factor.
And dads. I guess Bhaijan, father of His Haunjo Highness, is in better place of expressing his views on this.
Owl: Mabrook to you too, sis. You’re also there!
Aapi: Thanks!
Bhaijan: You know what I think? I think if Ammi ji and Maan ji ever sat together, they would leave only after they have listened to each other’s son’s na-khalafiyat. And I also think that Maan ji would do the listening job more than Ammi ji.
And thanks!
RoTi: Thanks for coming here and sharing the philosophy. I am sure it will work for me in the future. Any philosophies on times when you have to say more than salam?
The Pioneer Bud: Welcome aboard, Sir! And thanks for the appreciating words!
By the way, I would rather disagree with you being the pioneer of Ulta Seedha. I would agree, however, that it was YOU who introduced me to the world of HTML and web designing – thanks for that! 
Anne
Dec 21, 2004 at 10:46 am
hey, congrats!!
all this time, i never knew i was reading the blog of somebody famous! hehe!
Saadat
Dec 22, 2004 at 9:18 am
Believe me, Anne, I can’t decide if it’s fame or notoriety.
Vaqas ASHRAF
Dec 22, 2004 at 5:08 pm
Any plans to Update? *yawning*