Manali Manan Desai's Blog, page 83
May 29, 2019
Sneating: Are You Guilty Of This Dating Trend?
A modern dating term? You surely thought of ghosting, orbiting, breadcrumbing or maybe even Gatsbying. But these are all in the past now. Finding a good guy (or girl) in the digital age of right swipes has become challenging, and you may end up going out with a complete creep. Hence keeping yourself updated with any modern dating term on the block would be a good idea. The new one out there is ‘sneating’. Not sure what it means? We’re here to help.
Are you a believer in chivalry? Do you support the old-school philosophy? Then you may want to steer clear of ‘sneaters’ out there. The word ‘sneating’, a modern dating term, is coined together by the words sneaking and eating. Hence, sneating is all about going out on a date with someone purely for a free meal. it seems the millennials have taken up the phrase ‘There is no such thing as a free lunch” as a ‘challenge accepted’!

Though that may not sound as bad, because the Dutch policy isn’t quite there in India completely yet. And, there are men (as well as women) who do support the idea of men taking care of the bills. But, ‘sneating’ is a completely another level of scheming, where you purposely foot the bill on your date.

As shocking as that may be, there are many out there, who seem to be following this trend. They go out on dates just to get a free meal or get their desire of dining at a costly restaurant satiated. It also refers to daters who order or opt for the fanciest and the most expensive dishes on the menu, on purpose.

A girl named Sarah even went on to confess to The New York Times:
“I started being more strategic about the guys that I matched with on Tinder. Guys who said they were old fashioned or knew how to treat a lady were in. They were the ones who were likely to pay on a first date. Guys who said they were modern or into equality were out – they were clearly Dutch daters all the way. Whenever the bill came, I did that lame thing where I offer to pay half but then don’t argue when he says he’ll take care of it.”
This is a trend that actually ruins dating for those who are looking for something genuine. Have you or would ever engage in sneating? Did you go out with someone who was a sneater? What are your views on this modern dating term and practice? Let us know in the comments.
(originally written for TopYaps.com)
May 27, 2019
A Lookback at The Most Hilarious Viral Memes From 2018
Do you remember the most viral memes of 2018? Probably not! As we bid goodbye to the past year, we reminiscence over the good and the bad things that 2018 gave us. Thanks to the age of the internet, we get quite a few good laughs thanks to memes. Some of the viral memes of 2018 were so hilarious that they turned out to be more popular than their source of inspiration. From Anushka Sharma in Sui Dhaaga to Ganesh Gaitonde in Sacred Games, we got our daily dose of humor through these viral memes of 2018.
Want to jostle your memory with the best of viral memes of 2018? Here’s a rundown of the best and the funniest ones that the past year gave us. Kudos to the creative minds of the netizens!
1. Anushka Sharma
From the time the trailer of Sui Dhaaga came out, Anushka’s antics in one of the scenes gave rise to some of the most hilarious and viral memes of 2018. Here’s a look at few of them.
2. Sacred Games
Sacred Games not only gave us the best web series India has seen till date, but it also gave us some of the most viral memes of 2018. This can certainly be considered as one of the best web series of 2018.
3. Thank you, next
Arianne Grande gave us one of the best songs and a bout of the most hilarious and viral memes of 2018. Why it suddenly caught the attention of the witty netizens? There is no explanation!
4. Avengers Infinity War
The best Avengers installation so far was definitely this movie. The last scene was an emotional ride for most, but netizens turned this into funny memes too.
5. Radhika Apte and Netflix India
This year can easily be claimed as Radhika Apte‘s career best. She was seen in many movies and web series. Netizens were quick to notice that most of Radhika’s works were Netflix India originals. Hence, what followed was something we’ll all remember as the funniest memes.
6. If you don’t love me at
Love means being together at each other’s best and worst. So, netizens turned this forever together quote to give us the most viral memes of 2018
7. Kedarnath
Inter-communal love is frowned upon in India. Sometimes these love stories lead to communal riots and at other times, it flourishes during an apocalypse too, as in Kedarnath. This again was turned into hilarious memes by our very active and creative netizens.
8. Thackeray
Though the movie will be coming out this year, the trailer of this movie which came out just a few days ended gave us viral memes too. The internet was buzzing with Thackeray memes.
9. Sochta hu
The lyrics from the song sochta hu ki woh kitne masoom the too gave us some of the funniest memes. It all started when the original song was remixed for the movie Batti Gul Meter Chalu.

10. Ghar se nikalte hi
Armaan Mallik recreated one of our favorite songs from the ’90s, but even he wouldn’t have anticipated that this would give rise to hilarious memes.
11. Sanju
Remember the dialogue from Munnabhai M.B.B.S where Sanjay Dutt asks, Woh form bharna zaroori hai kya? It was revived due to Sanju this year and then it got turned into some mind-blowing hilarious memes.
Which one of these viral memes is your favorite? Do you have any more you came across in 2018? Let us know in the comments.
(originally written for TopYaps.com)
May 26, 2019
Varied Colours Of Words For All Seasons And Reason #BookReview
It’s very rare that I pick up a poetry book. A stickler to fiction and novels, this one surprisingly appealed to me because of it’s catchy cover design (nature lover that I am!) and I was sold completely thanks to the author bio plus the blurb on the backside of the book. The poet (or rather poetess) is a lawyer by qualification but she gave up that well established profession of hers, for the love of writing! And I at least feel thankful that she did (not that I doubt her lawyering skills here) because how would poetry lovers like me have gotten Seasons otherwise. Seasons is a compilation of 162 poems penned by Priyam Acharya. Honestly that’s a lot to take in even for a bibliophile like me, which is why it took me over a month to get through the book. But that’s about the only complaint I have with the book because even though the poems are a lot in quantity, their quality hasn’t been affected. Yes, some of them are a longer read than the others, and honestly I did find the shorter ones (the 5-6 liners) more interesting and thought provoking than the long ones, but that doesn’t make any of the poems any less worthy of a read or appreciation. For those that love the romance genre in poetry, this will be a heart stealer for sure as the love poems are quite a few and all quite well written. But, I’m not much of a romance lover myself, so my personal favourites were not these (check my stories to know which ones I enjoyed the most)
All in all, a great read! As I read the last poem, even though I had read 162 poems already, I turned the page expecting and wanting to read more! I’d recommend poetry as well as non-poetry lovers to give it a try.
My ratings : 4.5/5
Where to buy : Amazon
Connect with the author here:
Priyam Acharya (Facebook) or Priyam Acharya (Instagram)
May 24, 2019
These Time Travel Movies Need To Be On Your Watchlist If You’re A Sci-Fi Fan
When it comes to sci-fi and fantasy genre, time travel movies form a major part of the segment. Although there is still a long period before time travel becomes a reality, the movies based on this concept have shown the good, bad and its ugly side, if it ever come true.
If you’re a cinephile, irrespective of whether you like sci-fiction and fantasy or not, there are some time travel movies which you must watch for their sheer brilliance. And if you like this particular genre, then these time travel movies should be on watchlist right away!
The Terminator
We saw Arnold Schwarzenegger in his career best portraying a cyborg who travels from 2029 to save the world from an impending mishap in the coming years.
Interstellar
The sub-genre of time travel is taken into outer space gorgeously in this Christopher Nolan movie.
Back to the Future
The loveable nature and the fun and enrapturing elements of this 1985 movie make it a memorable one in the list of time travel movies.
Donnie Darko
This is probably one of the darkest and most thought-provoking time travel movies. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the titular role of a man who travels back and forth in time over a course of bizarre events.
Planet of the Apes
Much ahead of its time, this 1968 classic was so successful that it had a five-film series and even a reboot series decades later after its initial release. The role-reversal between humans and apes was and is still relevant.
These were just the best of the lot from many time travel movies in the history of cinema. Here are a few others in case you want to carry on with your movie binge in this genre.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

About Time (2013)

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
When We First Met (2018)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

The Girl Who Leapt through Time (2006)

La Jetée (1962)


Source Code (2011)

Groundhog Day (1993)

Looper (2012)
How many of these have you already watched? Do you know more time travel movies we may have missed out on listing here? Tell us in the comments!
(originally written for TopYaps.com)
May 22, 2019
Countries Where Prostitution Won’t Land You In Jail
Prostitution is one of the oldest professions on the planet, but it is not something one does willingly. People in this field are often looked down upon, by one and all. Poverty, lack of proper education and employment opportunities, etc., are just some of the reasons which forces women to jump into this profession.
However, despite such hatefulness, some countries are making a conscious effort to regulate prostitution and provide sex workers with social and health benefits. So, where is prostitution legal? Here is the answer!
New Zealand
The Kiwis legalized prostitution in 2003. Licensed brothels which operate under public health and other employment laws exist too.

Australia
At large, prostitution is legalised across the country, but legal status differs from state to state. There are parts where it is decriminalised and illegal.

Austria
In Austria, before a girl (or boy) enters the business, they have to be 18 years or older. Periodic health check-ups and paying taxes are part of the deal too.

Bangladesh
Pimping and owning a brothel, both are legal in Bangladesh. Male prostitution however, is illegal.

Belgium
They’re striving hard to remove the stigma by introducing brothels with facilities like keycards and fingerprint technology.

Brazil
Prostitution here is legal, but pimping will most likely to land you in jail.

Canada
A little contradictory set of laws in Canada makes prostitution legal but buying sex illegal. This came around in 2014 and since then it has put sex workers in a very vulnerable position.

Colombia
Working in the sex industry is legal, but pimping is against the law.

Denmark
The government supports prostitution so much so that it bears the expenses of difficulties faced by sex workers with disabilities.

Ecuador
Everything besides forced prostitution (running a brothel, selling your body, pimping) is completely legal in this country.

France
Though prostitution is legal, soliciting in public is outlawed. Pimping and running a brothel are against the law too.

Germany
Prostitution here was legalised way back in 1927. There are several state run brothels across the country which provide tax benefits, health insurance and even pension.

Greece
Greece too accepts prostitution as an actual job. Sex workers get equal right and get a health checkup done very frequently.

Greek Reporter – GreekReporter.com
Indonesia
Prostitution itself isn’t clearly defined or present in their law, which makes sex trade legal. However, this makes the business very dangerous for minors and forced sex workers.

Netherlands
Who hasn’t heard of the infamous red light district of Amsterdam and its window prostitution? Just like many other (banned) things, the Dutch are open and have made prostitution legal too.

So, which of these countries, where prostitution is legal, have you visited? Do you think we should be more liberal about its regulations and benefits related to sex workers? What are your views on prostitution? Let us know in the comments!
(originally written for
May 20, 2019
The Story Of This Globetrotting Tea-seller Couple Is Your Perfect Dose Of Inspiration
A tea-seller couple has probably seen more of the world than you or anyone you know. Married for 45 years, Vijayan and Mohana give us more than just couple goals. If you dream of traveling the world, then nothing and nobody can stop you is what we can take-away from this tea-seller couple. They own, run and self-manage a tea shop named Sree Balaji in Kochi, Kerala. They’re both almost 70 now and so far they have together set foot on 23 countries across the world. As hard as it may be to believe, this tea-seller couple has no other source of income besides their humble tea shop.
Their shop in itself is a testimony to their travel explores. On the walls are snippets of their pictures they have taken at the various places they have traveled to, along with a wall clock which shows the current time of that place. They even have a separate cabinet where the currencies of the various countries have been put up. From outside it may be easy to miss out on this nondescript tea house, but inside, it literally contains the whole world in its walls.

Composed Volcano
But, how did they manage to do it? As Vijayan says, it is their shared passion for exploring new places and traveling which helps them focus. The tea-selling couple started doing this business from 1963, and since that time they have been saving 300 INR each day just to gather funds for their trips.
With these savings and bank loans, they make their bookings for the upcoming travel. Vijayan says they travel simply as they don’t have much money left to spend on anything else. Once back from one trip, they work on first repaying their loan and then start saving again for the next destination they have in mind.

Their story is so inspiring that even industrialist Anand Mahindra took notice and Tweeted about it.
anand mahindra
@anandmahindra
They may not figure in the Forbes Rich list but in my view, they are amongst the richest people in our country.Their wealth is their attitude to life. The next time I’m in their town I am definitely dropping by for tea & a tour of their exhibits..
13.2K people are talking about this
Twitter Ads information and privacy
Since then a whole of reactions have poured in, all in awe of and inspired by this humble yet ambitious tea-selling couple.
Thehappyphilosopher@Akanksh28389977
Replying to @anandmahindraAnd here I am cursing life for not being able to travel…Thank u so much sir for sharing this. This moved me to tears. Boundaries are in mind. They being so senior and so simple managed to travel the globe. True inspiration indeed. Hats off to them.
May 17, 2019
Hollywood Teenage Romance Movies Perfect For A Movie Date
When someone says, “Teenage romance movies are not my thing”, they’re lying. Whether we accept and acknowledge it or not, when it comes to romance, we do draw most of our inspiration from movies. However grownup we may be and irrespective of whether we’re single or in a relationship, teenage romance movies and romantic comedies in general, are our go-to when picking movies on the lighter side. With the onset of the most romantic month of the year and the upcoming Valentine week and Valentine’s Day, teenage romance movies would be on everyone’s mind, more so than ever.
Do you intend to binge on the best teenage romance movies to draw inspiration and get the perfect build-up for the coming few days? We have a list ready for you then! These are the best teenage romance movies to churn out from Hollywood over the years. They all have a 6.9 or higher rating on IMDb, so you can rely on the list, blindly.
1. Edge of Seventeen
Teenage is difficult for everyone. Suddenly having to deal with so many emotions can be a tough ride. This is portrayed through a socially awkward and at odds with everyone around her character named Nadine, in this movie.
2. X+Y
Math is a subject much loved by most nerds, especially in high schools. The love for this subject is actually the pivotal point in this must watch teenage love story.
3. Juno
Teenage pregnancy is nothing we haven’t heard of. But when two misfits come together that results in pregnancy then no one is prepared for the consequences. However, from it, we get a beautiful love story.
4. Flipped
We have all had our crushes and episodes of unrequited love during our teenage. Sooner or later we grew out of these things and move on. Flipped tells the story of two teenagers, who do not have the same kind of feelings towards each other. However, these feelings take a turnaround over time and as they grow up.
5. The Breakfast Club
What happens when five varied teenagers (a rebel, a diva, an outcast, a nerd and a jock), who would normally never get along, are forced to come together? That’s what Breakfast Club is all about. Each of them narrates their story to the rest and that’s when the others begin to see them in a different light. Watch this one to know and understand how wrong we can be about someone, especially during our teenage.
6. Easy A
A girl lies about losing her virginity and pandemonium ensues. From a nobody, the lead character becomes a notorious somebody. With Emma Stone in the lead, this one is sure to be liked by one and all.
Those were just the best of the lot from teenage romance movies. We have a lot more (many rather) to offer. Here are twenty more for you to binge on!





Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)


To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)


Love & Basketball (2000)

Stuck in Love (2012)

A Walk To Remember (2002)

Sing Street (2016)

Little Manhattan (2005)

The Road Within (2014)

Mean Girls (2004)

Almost Famous (2000)

The Way Way Back (2013)

The Spectacular Now (2013)

It’s Kind of A Funny Story (2010)

The First Time (2012)
So, which one of these teenage romance movies is your favorite one? Or did we miss out on listing your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
(originally written for TopYaps.com)
May 15, 2019
Harry Potter Quotes For A Better And Braver You
It’s been 8 years since the final movie came out, but the Harry Potter quotes are something all fans can always go back to. Of course phrases like Ron’s “Bloody hell”, Hagrid’s “You’re a wizard, Harry”, the Marauder’s “Mischief Managed” or Hermione’s “levi-OH-sa” not “levi-oh-SAR”, would remain immemorial for all fans. It’s the Harry Potter quotes that inspired, motivated, and taught us so much about life in general. Right from Albus Dumbledore’s wisdom to Hermione’s intelligence, we got some life learning lessons through Harry Potter quotes.
If you’re a lover of the movie series, today we take you back to the magical world with these Harry Potter quotes. In case you haven’t read the books or seen the movies yet, these quotes should give you an idea of what the rage around the entire franchise is all about.
1. Courage has so many faces

2. The power of words

3. When you’re down remember to turn the lights on

4. Choices maketh a man
5. We never really lose something
6. Your followers don’t equal to your success
7. We’ve all got a dark side
8. How you treat someone defines you
9. What you are born and what you die with is all on you
10. The importance of believing in oneself
11. Those who love us are always with us
12. The power of truth

13. How we undermine wit
14. Accept yourself and be proud of it
15. Forgiving people isn’t as easy as we think
There are so many more quotes the movies gave us that it is impossible not to miss out on a few great ones. Which one of these Harry Potter quotes in your favorite? Did we miss out on your favorite completely? Let us know in the comments.
(originally written for TopYaps.com)
May 13, 2019
Quotes From ‘Fight Club’ That Sum Up Life As We Know It
Book and movies are our main source of motivational and life-learning quotes. So, Fight Club quotes would be on this list too and that should come as no surprise. Fight Club is one of thoserare movie adaptations from a book, that got equal (some might say even more) appreciation and success than the book itself. While there are some things we learn through our own experiences, there are many, which quotes from movies and books teach us too. Fight Club is one such movie that gave us a hard-hitting story and some hard-hitting lessons as well.
For the lovers of the movie, here is a look at the best Fight Club quotes to remind us why we fell in love with it. And, in case you haven’t seen the movie yet, these Fight Club quotes should be enough to make you want to watch the movie right away.
1. No pain, no gain!
2. What is freedom you ask?
3. We’re all gonna die sooner or later
4. You are defined thus!
5. We’re more than 9-5!
6. The power of consumerism
7. When you can do anything?
8. A wasted generation
9. Death looms nearby!
10. Redefining fairy tales
11. Gotta break it to make it!
12. It’s all on you and the choices you make
13. Making one small change does not change who you are
14. The unlearning and not knowing
15. Perfection is a myth
It’s hard to pick one out of so many gems. But even so, which one of these Fight Club quotes or dialogues is your favorite one? Did we miss out on listing your favorite one here? Let us know in the comments!
(originally written for TopYaps.com)
May 10, 2019
Cheesy And Creative Tinder Pick Up Lines That Will Blow Your Mind
Gone are the days when pick up lines were used in bars or whenever a guy came across a girl in real life. It is the age of Tinder pick up lines, where chat conversations happen before the actual first date. Just getting a match and swiping right does not guarantee a date on this popular dating app. Once swiped right, there comes the chatting option where witty, funny, cheesy, obnoxious and all sort of Tinder pick up lines come up in the chat. In order to impress the one who has matched and swiped right, Tinder users creativity levels hit the roof and thus are born some great tinder pick up lines.
In case you’ve never used the app, you may be deprived of some of the wittiest and creative Tinder pick up lines. If you are a user of the app you may have come across some or none of these pick up lines yourself. Want to see them and get a good laugh? We give you the funniest and creative best below!
1. Hey gorgeous, will you be my Tinderella?

2. I’m writing a book and it’s missing your number

3. You put the desi in desirable

4. The day I saw you, I cancelled my shaadi.com account

5. Are you from Starbucks because I like you a latte

6. Are you heading to India? ‘Cause I’d Goa anywhere with you!

7. You are so beautiful, you made me forget my pick up line

8. You are like KFC and I am like McDonald’s. You are so goood and I am lovin’ it

9. You are the chutney to my samosa

Which of these Tinder pick up lines are you gonna use? Have you ever come across or used such a pick up line? Let us know in the comments!
(originally written for TopYaps)