I think of ‘sensitive’ people-experiences that i have had in the past. ‘Husband-gets-in-keeps-the-lift-open-for-wife’ types ! Those kinds are numerous in the complex where i stay ! My chest swells with anger. Today, i resolve, i am going to have a few things to say to such ‘sensitive’ husbands and wives, i decide.
The lift opens. There is a lady, with her two children there. The children, all decked for school. Except for the hair. The little girl’s hair is still getting combed. The lady looks up at me, and says, ‘we are sorry’. ‘They have the bus to catch’. My anger dissipates.
I smile. And say, ‘thats not a problem’ !
The lift arrives at the ground level. I point to the door, and say, ‘ after you ‘. She herds the kids out, looks at me and says, ‘thank you’ !
It feels nice. I wonder where my anger went. A few minutes later, as i drive i reflect. Common courtesies are so rare these days, that the most simplest of them : Sorry and Thank You, are so rarer than honest politicians !
In the high rise that we stay in, there are educated & well endowed folks ( with money et al, just in case you thought of something else), who reek perfume and drive mega wheels. And there are the others who would like to belong to this set !
While ‘everything else’ is present in abundance, Common courtesies seem to be in short supply !
To be able to say ‘hello’, to smile, to give way to the elderly, to say thank you & sorry !are simple things to do !
I wonder why the arrival of money dispels courtesy ! I wonder. Thats some thought for the day.
I think i value and practice a fair degree of courtesy. By corollary : I cannot have money and mega wheels right ?!?
Ah ! Now, i know why i cant make that money ! Atleast now, there is a reason !
This morning, wisdom arrived through the lift !
