Cheeru muthachi

BETEL-NUT CHEWER

So, she is a betel nut chewer. Janu thought. Betel nut chewing was a common habit, especially among the elderly. Betel leaves, areca nuts, slaked lime and tobacco were offered to guests in functions like marriage. Her own mother and father chewed them, but only occasionally , like when attending functions or other gatherings. Conventionally, you have to reach a certain age to chew betel nut. This habit among young people is usually frowned upon. Betel-nut chewing along with consumption of coffee and tea were considered bad habits for youth but not as bad as alcohol consumption. She has heard Paru muthachi, her paternal grandmother, saying not having the habit of drinking tea and coffee and not using betel leaves were stated among groom’s good qualities when her marriage alliance with grandfather was proposed. But tea and coffee are widely popular nowadays such that offering tea or coffee instead of butter milk for guests is common.

And the presence of a mortar and pestle next to the betel- nut box suggested she didn’t have enough teeth to chew it properly.  Janu wondered how old she is. She has heard Cheeru muthachi was not too older than her grandmother even though she was her grand mother's aunt.