G Sampath- delivers what he promises. Checks on your feelings- emotions – argument and through the book- sometime- somewhere does offend you at some level.
The Delhi based journalist and columnist leaves no bones while writing on a varied subject with direct-in directed references to people and subject that could only lead one way- making enemies and offending people. It’s not like the ‘How to make friends’ book- but a witty- humorous (if the humour is not on you) – hugely biographically honest- if there is something like that exist. And I enjoyed every (read most) pages of sometime nonsensical unrelated outburst from a really constipated with opinions- G sampath.
He has problem with everything, a point of view on most things- which naturally is polarised and against most of the common thinking- and while creating this simple picture of grey world he leaves you with many a black and white thoughts. RECOMMENDED READING
The book is divided into 3 sections- OFFENDING THE WIFE– which is the most likeable section- as most of the married readers are able to empathise and see themselves in the situation. They may read the thoughts that may creep up in their mind- creating that tectonic pressure that surely will erupt one day. Till that time this mirroring of the suppressed thoughts would be great. OFFENDING MYSELF– Understandably this is a much shorter arena and a tough thing to express. Yet even here G Sampath creates his magic. OFFENDING WOMEN ( OTHER THAN WIFE) has some of the better thoughts and statements like ‘Are all woman complete loonatics’ OFFENDING BIG PEOPLE. Here he is in his elements and takes pot shot at everyone but with discreet jabs and polite insults- including the god Sachin- Pepsi-Radia tapes etc. OFFENDING ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO TAKE OFFENSE.
How to make enemies and offend people
It is easier to pick some excerpts from the book and present – for you to get the flavor.
Page 97 – “ Nobody , not even the BCCI, which denies everything, can deny that Arnab Goswami is the only person in the country to whom every Indian is answerable. Our politicians anyway hold him in high regards than parliament. Which is why, you will see them in his channel’s studio more than you see them in parliament.” Chapter- WHY NOT MAKE ARNAB GOSWAMI THE PM?
Page 82: ‘Not only does patriarchy deem male virginity worthless, it considers it a joke. Even in this day and age, when everything from water to clean air to dirty MPs has a market price, male virginity is perhaps the only scarce and limited commodity that continues to be distributed free’ ‘ Chapter title- WHY ARE MALE VIRGINS WORTH LESS THAN FEMALE VIRGINS.
PAGE 79- ‘So logically speaking, one of the most effective ways for a woman to avoid getting raped would be to give her consent too the man seeking sex with her. By offering immediate consent, any woman can instantaneously save herself from becoming a rape victim’ Chapter : THE DELHI POLICE GUIDE TO MAKING WOMAN RAPE-PROOF.
‘HOW TO MAKE ENEMIES AND OFFEND PEOPLE’ by G Sampath. INR 399. Pages 203. Hardcover. PENGUIN VIKING
