Making a difference through etiquettes
Miraj Chauhan
Last month I moved into an altogether new city in pursuit of new opportunities. The metropolis with its glittery and shimmery arms welcomed me in. I was dazzled looking at the skyscrapers and the gigantic malls. I could see the herds blindly following the other herds.
Being a novice to such a life style, I was a bit reluctant to be a part of the herd back then. I retired to my place and parked the car opposite to the residential building I was residing in as the building’s parking lot was already pre-occupied.
Adjusting with the newly begotten transition, I faced the similar aftermaths as that of a jet-lag. I would drag myself out of the bed and get ready for office. The thought of being buried in the office chair for the entire day gave me jitters.
Coming back home late evening and not being able to find space in the parking lot further infuriated me. The other day I woke up hearing the melodious song of the rain. It was raining in torrents and the petrichor invigorated my heart and soul. Wearing a cheerful smile and evading the thick splatters of rain, I reached my car. I was shocked to see a piece of paper pasted on my car’s windscreen that read ‘No Parking’. On reading this my cheerful mood came crashing down to ground zero.
Later, I had a word with the land lord about the same and he suggested me to park the car in front of the empty plot. I complied and did the same. One evening I returned and was parking the car at the same place when an old man knocked at the car’s window and said, “Gaadi wohi le jaao jaha rehte ho.” (Park the car where you reside.) I very gently replied, “There is no parking available sir and moreover I am parking it in front of an empty plot.” He started fuming and blabbering in rage. Considering his old age I backed out of the heated conversation and parked the car elsewhere. I thought to myself how could a man of his age, be so rude and contemptuous. He was in possession of a huge bungalow in that very area but riches could not instill in him basic human etiquettes.
The following day I reached office a little late. The demon of parking started haunting me even there. There were cars and cars till my eyes could see. Out of nowhere Ramesh came – the parking lot guy. He with a sweet smile said, “Sahab gaadi chorr jao, me apne aap laga dunga.” (Sir please leave the car, I will park it myself).
I straight away handed over the keys to him and rushed to the office. In the evening Ramesh gave me the keys and said, “Sahab aaap roz subah mujhe de dia kro chabbi, me apne aap jagah dekh k laga diya krunga.” (Sir you please hand over the car to me, I will daily park it finding an apt location).
I was astonished on seeing the helpful nature of this young lad. This for me was no less than a selfless service as he was paid for keeping a watch over the cars parked, not for performing the duty of a valet.
On the one side, there was an arrogant affluent old man who considered the entire street to be his property and on the contrary there was this young and poor guy who offered help to one and all without charging a single penny.
Riches can buy you luxuries of life, but not basic human etiquettes.
(The writer is Head, Department of English-Blooming Dales International School, Sriganganagar Rajasthan. He is a regular contributor to Kashmir Vision)
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