What's in a name??

Ever wondered how many Hot chips and Shanti Sagars Bangalore has?

In fact any address would be incomplete without a "next to Shanti Sagar" or "opposite hot chips".

All buses in Bangalore would literally lead to a Shanti Sagar stop. Add to this the legendary New... "New Shanti Sagar" , the rusty board would proclaim.. Even though the place is as old as a hill. Not just metaphorically speaking mind you…but a really old hill.

Ever noticed how most medical shops are named Lakshmi? And how initials play a vital role for most hardware and textile shops.. G.M.T granites.. or for the benefit of people with poor pronunciation..AAR JAY textiles. Some people displayed their penchant for translations...Mithai Sweet shop…Prarthana prayer house…This leaves us with the branded outlets and a handful of shops which have..erm..rather unusual names..

I happened to see this small electrical shop in a gully right next to my office It was named Faraday Electricals. The name was so apt. .. simple but thoughtful.. Another boutique cum beauty salon was named Lipstitch.. kinda different na? SPEX APPEAL - An eye wear shop on my way to commercial street..! I have to admit i like the guy's cheekiness! Some struck me really funny.. A furniture shop named SOFART.. I still wonder how the owner's teenage son or niece did nothing to change this ludicrous name!

The board on the first floor of a building proclaimed "Bangalore Body Builders".I peered in on my way to the second floor only to find that it was a construction company.. much to my utter dismay..

Then there are some rather On-your-face names..Urgent xerox and print outs..Women's maternity shop..

Whats in a name? Shakespeare had once said. I am sure as hell he was not thinking about shops then!

PS: Just last week, I came across a brightly lit shop- Underwear world. It was right next to Ganesh juice stall!