Haanji . ( Yes, sir / madam )
This might , on the surface , seem like a polite rejoinder to all statements / expostulations and pronouncement . An innocuous , infectious , perfectly acceptable answer to all theories .
Only , it isn't .
It is a weapon . A hiding -in -plain -sight kind .
In most of North India it carries an undertone of respect bordered with sarcasm . It might mean " F^^^ off " to strangers or "Shut up " to known . pesky elders . People, with adequate EQ , get the inflection . Most don't . One is surprised at the abysmal lack of common sense in the populace one runs into , on a day to day basis .
I recently met a person who breaks into a hive of Haanjis , when she insists that she is very much in agreement with you .
"Is tomorrow a holiday ?"
"Haanji , haanji , haanji , haanji ." She trills .
"Today is cloudy , it looks like it might rain ."
"haanji , haanji , haanji ." In a haste , she drops one of them .
"Yesterday' s function was fun , wasn't it ? "
"haanji , haanji , haanji , haanji , haanji ." Thrown one extra for good measure .
After having several of these homegrown hand grenades of fake agreement thrown at me , I am wary . I go home with a basketful of these everyday , and sort them into , ripe and rotten , unripe and downright empty shells , bereft of any ammo at all .
The decoding is as follows
First haanji is "okay I see you , but I do not care ."
Second Haanji is " stop accosting me , just because I am in the room , I don't wish to talk to you ."
Third haanji is " I didn't even hear what you just said ."
Fourth haanji is " Stop wasting my time ."
Fifth haanji is " Shut up !!"
In fact , I am so wary of being showered with a deluge of haanjis , if I so much breathe next to her , that I give her a wide berth every time we meet .
So , yes , every time someone agrees with you , please note intonations , body language and other means of telling you that they are not at all in agreement with you , so please carry your sorry self elsewhere .
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