My conscience pricked me when I saw him. But I told myself he probably wants to get off at the next stop. After all, I was sitting next to the exit door. There was nothing in his body language that showed signs of wanting to disembark, but I resolutely looked the other way. I told myself that I had a heavy bag to carry. Besides, there are about ten other people without luggage nearby. Anyone could give him a seat. The next stop came and went but the old man standing next to me was still there where I had last seen him.
He moved closer to a rod and clutched it with both hands. Then I saw that he had a bag to carry as well and he wasn’t very steady on his feet. I hesitated for about a second, then tapped him and motioned him to occupy the seat I vacated. I threw my bag on my shoulders and then stood at the spot he had been standing on. Well what do you think was the old man’s reaction? Forget a thank you or anything, he didn’t even smile! His expression said, “About time somebody did that”
After about 15-20 minutes when he had to get off, he promptly vacated the seat and another guy who had nudged in between in the meantime coolly sat down there. The point is, this new guy had seen me vacating my seat for the old man. He could’ve asked me to sit back there. Or the old man himself could’ve done so. But neither did. Not that it was really necessary for either of them to have done it, but it would have been a polite, civil thing to do so…
Sigh, I guess politeness has no rules….
He moved closer to a rod and clutched it with both hands. Then I saw that he had a bag to carry as well and he wasn’t very steady on his feet. I hesitated for about a second, then tapped him and motioned him to occupy the seat I vacated. I threw my bag on my shoulders and then stood at the spot he had been standing on. Well what do you think was the old man’s reaction? Forget a thank you or anything, he didn’t even smile! His expression said, “About time somebody did that”
After about 15-20 minutes when he had to get off, he promptly vacated the seat and another guy who had nudged in between in the meantime coolly sat down there. The point is, this new guy had seen me vacating my seat for the old man. He could’ve asked me to sit back there. Or the old man himself could’ve done so. But neither did. Not that it was really necessary for either of them to have done it, but it would have been a polite, civil thing to do so…
Sigh, I guess politeness has no rules….
25 comments:
hii there
yup long time no c.. was tied up at wrk (thanks to boss)n at home (thanks to di)
thank u for the compliment for di...
got the colors for rangoli from a shop here in AUH..:)
and yeah.. not many ppl are polite anymore.. it bcomes more obvious especially wen di points out n says "mom, i gave her a choc & she did not say thank u, so i cud not say welcome"
kep in touch.. next time i m in mumbai, we try to meet?
:)
regards
I think the harshness of the place makes some people forget simple courtesy. I am sure that old man was never offered the seat before so he forgot to say "Thank You" or the other person may have traveled on the bus standing for hours everyday and didn't want to lose the chance to get seated or maybe as you said, they simply weren't polite or thankful enough.
Although, I find it really sad that in Delhi (as in other places in India) first few rows are reserved for handicapped, old or women. Comparing women to old or handicapped can only be sad.
Anyways, you did the right thing if others didn't and thats what matters...right? :-)
nothing new.. it happd with me lot many times too but thats good still ppl like you are courtious enough to offer their seats...
When I was in singapore people's courtsey touched me as everyone is ready to offer their seats to the needy be it old, disabled , preg ladies or ladies with small childrens. I guess this attitude will still take time to come to india hopefully. But people like you , me or others if still continue with politeness and good gestures, someday definitly we will have a good lot here too
so cheers
I know..some ppl r too rude to be even remotely polite.
Keshi.
Really cool look..
did u make it urself ???
as for the post...
well...havent u heard - "neki kar aur darya mein daal.."
btw....bombay local train mein baidne ki jagah milti hai kya ?
Neki kar kuane mein daal! [:)]
You gave ur seat since YOUR conscience was pricking you! Why expect appreciation from the old man or the other guy!
Madam, yeh duniya hi aisi hai! Be Good inspite of this!
Ohk ! Found a post here.
Let the goodness spread out from the smallest entity "own self".
On your part,it was a good gesture indeed. You remain whatever you are !
@ KJ,
Well, I can completely understand.... infact, u are able to blog inspite of managing home and work is quite an amazing thing!
arre, di hai hi itni cute.... :)
wahan rangoli powder bhi milta hai... wow
i agree when u say these days ppl are not polite enuff... how do u handle the situation when di says something like this??
so, when are u coming to mumbai next time?
@ ricky,
yaar, shudn't u be a little more considerate in a harsh situation???
besides, if somebody does something for u, don't u feel u shud give it back to them in some way?? i mean if somebody gives a gaali, ppl give back 3... so why not return a pleasant gesture?
as for the reserving of seats, i think it is a good thing... practically, it makes sense to have all the seats for aged / ladies or handicapped together... thats because these ppl huddle together in the front of the bus and the general public is left to occupy the back... i feel a lot more comfortable when there are 3-4 ladies around me rather than men... coz when there are a lot of ppl, there will always be one or the other miscreant trying to fall on the lady on the pretext of bus ka jhatkas!
@ Preeti,
Ya, i agree that there are many countries where ppl won't even blink an eyelid before offering their seats.... in fact, we noticed so in malayasia when a young lady offered her seat to my mom who was tired... and she was merrily chatting with us...!
@ Keshi,
ya.... i agree!
@ Vicky,
Nahi re... its a template I chose.... loved it on first sight!
neki kar kuen mein daal.... huh, wahi karte hain...
post dhyan se padhi nahi kya? train mein nahi, bus mein travel kar rahi thee!!! :)
@ Moonie,
aree was not expecting appreciation or anything.... sad thing is he didn't even acknowledge the act...
:(
@ prem,
Ya... love this blog a little too much actually!
Well, I hope the good spread.... :)
I can't say because everyone's condition is different. You don't know what some person is/was going through and why people behave the way they do.
If someone does something for me, ofcourse I feel like giving back to that person to the best of my ability.
Yea, I agree on the bus reserved seats part but a better idea will be to teach some common courtsey to people taking public transportation, which is ofcourse not easy to do but someone can come up with some innovative ideas. For e.g. I was recently impressed to read on BBC that in Mumbai the taxi drivers were given a seminar on etiquette, like not to adjust mirrors when women passengers get seated in back seats and all.
this proves that life is not fair!! it's happened to me numerous times too!! but sometimes, it's happened that the person actually is nice and acknowledges you, and then you glow inwardly (i'm always glowing outwardly :P )...
you know, humankind is not a homogeneous species and i think incidents like these just make you appreciate the ones who are nice even more!
ooh, and i agree with ricky...at the end of the day, the only one you have to answer is yourself...and if you did the right thing, you'll always respect yourself!! that's a big plus to do positive!
@ ricky,
ya but the whole point of being educated, being civil is that you conduct urself in a certain manner no matter what ur situation be... else, u could have ppl bawling over the street for a lost rupee!
We shouldn't be expecting absolute strangers to be accomodating to our situations na....
As for the taxi drivers, well we hear of many such initiatives... but do they take off? Do they actually make a difference? well, that remains to be seen.... we never have any follow up stories of whichever initiatives are launched....
@ riddhi,
ya, u are right about feeling nice when the other person acknowledges u....
:) just a little smile it may be... but makes u feel so good.... lol @ outward glow.... is glow ka raaz kya hai??? :)
@ Riddhi,
you are so right about about the respect.... once wheni was damn tired and chatting on the phone, I did not offer my seat to an old lady... but felt so guilty about it :(
ppl ask for ur opinion when what they want is approval.
something that happens quite frequently with me too, although ive seen the people in the first class compartment being quite polite at times and actually apologize if they nudge you. But yeah , standard protocol indicates no matter how empty the train or bus is , they will rush in and push you out of the way like there is no tomorrow and this is the last train to the end of the world.
@ J,
Yeah... and i'd like to find the person who defined that protocol...
By the way, Welcome to the blog...
well dont know where u stay, but looks like an episode from a Delhi - Blue line buses (non sure if it is still blue or red)...i am sure people can narrate similar and many more stories like this...kahani ek bus ki....
@ pk,
this is a best bus incident... :(
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