There is a very specific, agonizing type of physical restraint required when you are trying to look deeply spiritual while actively suppressing a massive snort of laughter. We recently found ourselves engaging in these extreme facial gymnastics at a rather solemn religious function for Navratri.
The event itself was beautiful, but let’s be honest, the real headliner of any Indian gathering is the catering. The food provider had set up an absolute masterpiece of a chaat counter. We’re talking the heavy hitters: ragda pattice, paani puri, sev puri, and dahi puri. A brilliant choice, because you can dress us up in our finest traditional wear, but the siren song of spicy mint water will always reign supreme.
Enter our host. She was floating through the venue, draped in purple elegance and radiating a very specific, entertaining brand of hoity-toity, high-society charm. She glided over to our group to ensure we were partaking in the feast.
"Oh, you simply must try the SP," she insisted, gesturing delicately toward the sev puri with a manicured hand. "And the DP is absolutely divine tonight. But whatever you do, do not skip the PP."
SP. DP. PP.
She had gentrified chaat. She had taken the glorious, chaotic, messy joy of street food and reduced it to corporate boardroom acronyms.
It took every ounce of medical composure and a few frantic, wide-eyed sidelong glances to keep our faces completely serene. We nodded politely, our expressions frozen in solemn, enlightened smiles, ensuring we didn't hurt her feelings while internally, we were absolutely howling. Ah yes, the holy trinity of the elite: SP, DP, and PP.
But before you rush out to get your own fix of "PP" (I still can't even think it without wincing), a quick word of caution from the CoreRestore team.
While chaat is undeniably the food of the gods, it can also be a fast track to gastrointestinal distress. Those delicious, tangy chutneys and perfectly spiced waters are prime real estate for the bacteria that cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea. Always ensure your street food—or its high-society catered equivalent—is prepared with strictly filtered water and proper hygiene.
Enjoy your SPs and DPs safely. But if the PP does end up betraying your stomach and leaving you thoroughly dehydrated, well... you know where to find us for an IV HT (hydration therapy - pun intended).
