Ranting it out..!!

Of late, I am realizing that I’m grown up and matured. I’ve started noticing social problems and general public’s feckless behaviour. Ok, what good does it do to me noticing apathy all around?? Answer to it would be - Nothing except maybe that I would end up branded as the youngest BP patient or something. This time its not about our government and their exhibition of neglect, but WE… The General Public. Small issues like Public behaviour, manners, etc…..

Just this morning, on my regular jogging routine in a park I noticed the same two girls who I guess are in their late twenties. The park is a rectangular one, with a walking track outlining the area. Generally, though not as a rule, people walk in the clock-wise direction. These two special beings, as me and my dad noticed since 3 months or so, walk opposite to the general way of walking thereby causing a break in the flow of many brisk walkers. Again, it’s not a rule that people have to follow the clock-wise cycle, but then if it’s only the RULES that rule you, it is sick.

My dad, for once made up his mind to inform them about it and he did so in these exact words- “ Hello… Excuse me… Wouldn’t it be better if you could walk the other way. You are obstructing other brisk walkers and joggers.” One of those girls hit back- “ Thanks for your advice. Mind your business,” after which, ofcourse an argument followed. I mean, how hard would be to say a simple- “ Okay” when an elderly person suggests you something, leave alone following it. Is it fashionable to be sarcastic? “Sarcasm, as long as it is for fun or for yourself is okay. Once you exhibit in public, its no more called ‘sarcasm’ .. Its Arrogance” was one of my point in the argument. Where has manners, simple general behaviour gone?? Is education all about scoring the passing marks or the ‘distinction’ marks?

I read an article in yesterday’s papers that it’s more for the fact that Indian people are very badly behaved in public, that they are being targetted in Australia. Right or wrong, I don’t know, but I’m fed up witnessing it here. On the roads, seeing a few people drive, I’ve got ideas of keeping goats as drivers and still it would make no difference. Yes I know, we as Indians in general are not into following traffic rules (reasons plenty.. government neglect, bribery, corruption….etc), but atleast certain basic unsaid things. Not a single second can a person spare on the road. Also in other general places- arguments, fights all around. Maybe the fact that, excess money into the hands of ill-mannered ( or rather, people unaware of a concept called behaviour.. or manners) are making matters worse. You can still be nice to your driver, your servant maid, a co-passenger, a waiter and end up losing nothing.

Anyway, thinking deep and worrying would take me where?? .. Nowhere .. And hey guys, I’m the same Arjun if you are still rubbing your eyes. I’ve never written such a post, but this was just long pending. Today’s incident just worked up the needed ‘driving force’. Just a request to all- Behaviour and manners go side by side with your BE, MBA.. so on. Thanks for hearing me out. Have a great Sunday.

22 comments:

  яノςんム

June 14, 2009 at 3:39 PM

literally, I was wondering if I landed on the right blog :D

but the things u ave said are correct.. i guess such ppl sud keep to themselves.. i fail to understand why do ppl show attitude at places were it isnt reqd..

and about australia, most of the immigrants are punjabis, and u know they loaded with arrogance.. so i have to agree with u..

  parzi

June 14, 2009 at 4:22 PM

a very good...thought provoking write up...we all talk of big changes...but ruthlessly go on neglecting the small things that actually make a huge difference..and its high time that we realise that r degrees make our career..but are behaviour is a reflection of r character..
awsome...really!
ths is d frst tym i read ur work...don't how diffrnt it is 4m ur usual style of writing..but i truly liked wat i read...
n yes...thank u soooo much...4 taking out d tym 2 read my articals..and ur encouraging feedback..really very kind of u...thanks![oops sorry 4 d long comment..].tk cr...god bless!

  Ms.R.

June 14, 2009 at 7:03 PM

I agree with you. That's not the way to talk to an elderly. In fact that's not the way to talk to any stranger. Some people are full of themselves for all the wrong reasons

  Miss Kido

June 14, 2009 at 11:17 PM

Arrogance arrogance arrogance!!! Such people should be blind folded & exported to mars with their hands tied behind their backs!!!

Something different on your blog... But well put...

Hope you had a great Sunday :)

  Dr Riya

June 15, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Hey.. Rightly said.. We indians dont follow most of the traffic rules.. So many things to be dealt within india... Cleanliness, poverty...corruption.. n the worst part we are now even loosing what the world thought we atleast possesed culture and respect to elders.. I think we the youth of india should never forget to respect elders... I think every indian should retain in themselves THE gud things our culture has taught us n then improve on other things...

  Arjun

June 15, 2009 at 6:37 PM

@Richa

Ur eyes gone red, rubbing it trying to figure out if u landed in the right place?? hehe :P

Exactly..!! That kinda behaviour isn't cool... This is just a small incident Rich.. but ppl r similar everywhere.. it worries me...

not good for me i know :)

n abt Punjabis... no idea really.. :)

Cheers..!!
Arjun

  Arjun

June 15, 2009 at 6:41 PM

@parzi

Couldn't agree more ya... small things that make a big difference... true.. :)

n yeah, i usually write only fiction.. nothing else until this one.. :)

haha.. I will always be around :)

Cheers..!!
Arjun

  Arjun

June 15, 2009 at 6:43 PM

@Kido

hehe.. yeah... i kind of get similar thoughts.. :)
Pisses me off really ..

Had a super sunday.... ;) Hope u did too ... :)

Cheers..!!
Arjun

  Arjun

June 15, 2009 at 6:43 PM

@Ms.R

true....

u follow wat they say or not is secondary... basic respect is wat is expected.. :)

Cheers..!!
Arjun

  Arjun

June 15, 2009 at 6:45 PM

@Riya

U make a very valid point Riya.. Culture n respect was one thing that ppl used to look upto in India.. n it's going down rapidly...

Abt traffic.. yeah.. None of actually follow all the rules.... But atleast a little application of the mind would make things much better .. :)

Nice to see u here after a long time..

Cheers..!!
Arjun

  Shanu

June 15, 2009 at 11:14 PM

I agree...if only ppl followed basic etiquettes in public like not talkin on ur mobile at the top of ur voices or droppin wastes in dustbins...I mean how diff is it??

  Misty Rhythm

June 16, 2009 at 3:24 PM

hmm..well. i'm surprised. but not too much. u've subtly (sometimes, not-so-subtly) complained abt the raods n driving and corruption in a few of ur posts before :). but this time u went full on! and it was needed.
yes it is true much of the general public still lack basic courtesy, but who's to tell them!

  divsi

June 17, 2009 at 4:53 PM

beautifuuly written...esp d part bout being nice to those ppl who make ya life so easy[ maid etc] n not losing anythin..:) very well written...
p.s: i wud jus like to say sumthin bout the 1st comment;) immigrants r punjabis n U KNOW THEY ARE ARROGANT? dont u think u are bein a little to harsh by generalisin dear?? [no prizes for guessin m a punju too;)]

  Arjun

June 17, 2009 at 8:28 PM

@Neha

yeah Neha... I'm into this big time.. :P

Same questions i have.... wat to do??

  Arjun

June 17, 2009 at 8:28 PM

@Shanu

true true.. :)

How we get that across to everyone... n can we actually see a change.. small things.. but big difference it makes.. :)

Thanks for dropping by Shanu :)

  Arjun

June 17, 2009 at 8:30 PM

@divsi

glad to see u here .. :)

n thank u... Was kind of pissed of that day when i wrote it... :)

n yeah.. no generalising.. :)

Keep hitting back divsi.. :)

  Collection Of Stars

June 17, 2009 at 8:36 PM

You are on my Google Reader and I could not resist commenting on this post. Way to go Arjun! If more youth thought like you, we will get there soon.
"You can still be nice to your driver, your servant maid, a co-passenger, a waiter and end up losing nothing.". Very very true.

  Arjun

June 18, 2009 at 9:30 AM

@anu akka

Thank u ka.. :)

  perturbed perceiver

June 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM

very well said..specially the traffic rules..the way people drive and honk!man ,i know horns dont cost them extra petrol but that doesnt mean u wud use them like ur in cm honking competition!people even honk whn they can see tht its red signal,or is it tht they dnt evn knw tht thy rnt supposed to move til it turns green!
nd yes dese daz u can find a million ppl similar to those 2 gals u met...
ah..so much for sm manners!

  Arjun

June 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM

Exactly..... On road.. especially 'honking' makes me go mad.. really...

How silly ppl are to be hnking for no reason.... such a headache and senseless ....

Anyway... Thanks for dropping by.. :)

Cheers..!!
Arjun

  lachu

June 24, 2009 at 10:19 PM

wow............public awarenes arjun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no wonder u r lusin readers :P

  Arjun

June 25, 2009 at 12:22 PM

This is not for small children like u lachu... hehe :P