Big business Quote by Rohinton Mistry
““I've done lots of jobs. Right now, I'm a hair collector." "That's good", said Ishvar tentatively. "What do you have to do as a hair-collector?" "Collect hair." "And there is money in that?" "Oh very big business. There is a great demand for hair in foreign countries." "What do they do with it? Asked Om skeptical." "Many different things. Mostly they wear it.Sometimes they paint it in different colors-red, yellow, brown, blue. Foreign women enjoy wearing other people's hair. Men also, especially if they are bald. In foreign countries they fear baldness. They are so rich in foreign countries, they can afford to fear all kinds of silly things.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry, 1991
The passage sat the absurdity of commodifying human hair, reflecting how cultural quirks can create lucrative markets for seemingly trivial items.
In simple terms: Hair becomes a commodity driven by foreign fashion and fear of baldness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how cultural values can turn ordinary things into profit.
Themes
culture
economics
identity
globalization
fashion
Mood
irry
critical
observational
Type
literary
satirical
cultural commentary
When to use this quote
- Hair salons
- fashion design
- import/export business
- media satire
- anthropological study
Key Concepts
Consumerism
cultural appropriation
symbolic value
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday item could become a global market?
- How do cultural fears shape consumer demand?
A Different Perspective
The humor masks deeper issues of exploitation and superficial beauty standards.
