Attitude and prestige

As usual, its been long since I blogged but this time is different. First, the causes that prompted this blog. Simplest excuse: I had some time to spare and think. Other reasons: have been visiting many informative and interesting blogs and did feel ashamed that comparison is unthinkable. But hey! this is MY blog! This is ME! This is what I think. So, as one of my favourite quotes goes, "What you think of me is none of my business!" And that brings me to the topic of this blog. In our effort to assert our individuality, somehow, somewhere down-the-line, we are becoming more inconsiderate, stubborn and in some cases, "penny-wise and pound fools". Let me elaborate...

We bargain for that 50 paise or rupee extra with that poor naariyal-paani waalaa/coconut-seller outside our office miles from the city but sincerely tip the waiter at that high-class restaurant exhorbitantly even though he has treated us like dirt in his shoe. Many of my friends down South treat only people who speak good English with respect. In the workplace, I have many acquaintances who only respect those who are North-Indians or atleast converse fluently in Hindi. Talking about false prestige, my friends and I recently visited a complex which contained a temple, eateries and a fashionable store that stocks things like garments and toys. We left our footwear in our car at the basement car-park since we had to visit the temple. After completing our prayers, one of my pals suggested we look around the store. The guard at the entrance stopped us saying we couldn't enter the store barefooted. My friend privately retorted, "Would our bare feet dirty this place more than our footwear?!" Anyway, we ended up going all the way to the basement car-park to retrieve our footwear and then, visited the store.

The returns we get for our high-class lifestyle and behaviour are worse. Autodrivers, maids, shopkeepers, the cable-walla, the guy from the telephone department, the delivery boy from the appliances store all demand payment way above the actual price. The attitude behind the demand? "He or she must be earning so much. Dene mein uska kya jaata hai?/What does he or she lose by giving?" Everyone only seems to see the air-conditioned, glass-panelled cubicles that we work in and thinks its a fun way of life. Who keeps track of the stressful extended hours of work, the lost sleep, the cancelled weekend plans, the friends and relatives we lost touch with because we had no time to call, write or visit, the forgotten hobbies, the lack of exercise? Does money make up for all that? We are reduced to living an excuse of a life. As a result, we become more inconsiderate, rude and are treated with contempt for the same. Its a vicious circle.

So, whats the solution to all this? Get your feet back on earth. Treat people with more consideration and respect. At the same time, be fair and firm when it comes to true value of things. If you pay 100 bucks for a thing worth 50 and couldn't care less, remember the seller would expect the same from the guy who comes to him after you and soon, it becomes an established and accepted practice. On the other hand, please give that poor coconut-seller a break. Remember that his shop is the only one near your office where you can relax and he is dependent on you and your colleagues for his daily income. So, dont grudge him that rupee. After all, the supermarket near your home charges double the price for that tender coconut!