Our condo is a veritable wonder of wall switches and gizmos. There’s a bank of three switches and a knob at the front door. Two of the switches produce no noticeable change at all, and for the knob, it’s just been a 4-position percussion clicker. The only functioning switch on this bank illuminates a small light on the opposite wall which highlights the painting of Tipu’s Palace. This is enough light however to guide you to the lamps which each have switches on their power cords. Be warned, you must check that the electrical outlet they’re plugged into is also switched on. Every socket has a switch--a land of equality. [For the wondering, the power is different from the US, but “220, 221, whatever it takes.” It’s 210V @50Hz and you need the “O O” plug instead of the “I I” one. Our adapter suits us fine.]
Now some of the switches have red LED lights on them and special labels. I think “Geyser” is my favorite. This switch is in the bathroom and must be turned on if you want hot water for your shower. The kitchen has an “HOB” and a “Chimney”. The first lets you ignite the gas stove burners, the second turns on the ceiling fan. Finally, there are “AC” switches. We are blessed with an air conditioning unit on each floor. Flip the switch, then pick up the remote control to dial-in your Centigrade selection. We run them frequently, as it gets warm and muggy here.
Now, to top off this conundrum of controls, nothing in the entire condo works unless you plug a large brass slug into a special slot near the front door. Yup, all of the above switches, knobs, remote controls rendered completely useless without the slug, which incidentally double-functions as the chunky lose-me-not hardware on the room’s key ring.
Sunday we were invited to the Jensen Family’s apartment for dinner. We salivated jealousy as we beheld their awesome mega-rack of switches in the dining room. At least a dozen switches on the panel! --one of which, near the center, was needed to turn on the toilet’s light. Of course, they’ve lived in Bangalore for over a year. We are but young chicks…
2 comments:
Per Wikipedia, it's not really an "HOB" (as an abbreviation), but rather just a "hob":
In the United Kingdom, Singapore, and other parts of the commonwealth, a hob is the top cooking surface on a cooker (referred to as a 'stove top' in the United States). It typically comprises several cooking elements (often four), also known as 'rings'.
You're reminding me of a favorite Steven Wright joke:
"In my house there's this light switch that doesn't do anything. Every so often I would flick it on and off just to check. Yesterday, I got a call from a woman in Madagascar. She said, 'Cut it out.'"
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