Monday, May 25, 2009

Why do we do so?

Scene:1

Mohan along with his colleague was returning back from office. Suddenly the cellphone of his colleague's rang and on the other side was his son who requested him to bring a set of color pencils. His colleague requested Mohan to get a set of color pencils from the nearby shop. Mohan bought the pencils and gave back to his colleague. His colleague took out wallet and was about to give him money to which Mohan politely refused saying its just 30 rupees, no issues.

Scene:2

Next day, Mohan had to go to a nearby water park for outing, since his bike had some trouble, so he thought to hire a rickshaw. One rickshaw fellow was going to the same side, Mohan stopped him and asked "Bhaiyya kitna paisa logo water park chalne ka". "40 rupayee de dena sahab" replied the rikshawala. "Aree 40 rupee bahut jyada bol rahe ho, wahan toh bas 20 rupaye me jaate hain" answered back Mohan. The conversation contiued for a while and finally they settled for a fare of 30 rupees.

Comment:
In the first scene Mohan let go Rs.30 very politely even when he knew that his colleague can afford to give the money but possibly because of etiquette he denied taking the money and in the scene 2 we find that. He argued with the rickshaw for a sum of Rs. 10, which possibly for richshaw fello would have been atleast 10% of the day's earning.

Whether we notice it or not we all replace Mohan in  the two scenes but never wonder why we do so when we take a richshaw we argue for 10-15 rupees, when we buy vegetables we try to get the price reduced by 4-5 rupees whereas with our colleagues and friends on the name of socialism we spend 500-1000 odd rupees without giving a second thought. 

WHY can't we be more generous with these people for whoom the small amount of money matters more ?


3 comments:

  1. ME ME ME and ME. If only i could see beyond that.
    I wonder what i would see?
    Maybe what you just pointed out....... But the EGO clouds my eyes.

    25k salary -> 250 = 1% of 25K : But still dont depart for someone for whom it is a matter of a weeks food. :(

    Hope i dont stay this way ....... i wont :)

    THANK YOU

    ReplyDelete
  2. What you have pointed out is only one side of the story.

    Business is always done when the buyer and the supplier agree on a certain price.

    if we all start paying the price asked by the rickshaw waala or for that matter any guy, soon that will become the datum. What I meant is, soon Rs 40 will become the datum and they will start asking for Rs. 50. And then you will write the blog saying the rickshaw waala asked for Rs. 50 and Mohan argued it for Rs. 40.

    If at all we take humanity into consideration during business transaction then probably that will not be called Business but charity.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The article was a simple narration, its the comment (responses) posted reflect which side individuals have viewed it

    ....both of u r correct in ur perspectives ....

    my response to first comment would be: Yes, as u have truly pointed out. We remain caring and supportive for people whom we think are near and dear ones. "Ego" which acts through bow of selfishness restricts our boundaryline about people whom we call as near and dear one and OTHERS

    response to second comment: u r very correct in ur viewing the incident as pure business transaction where price is mutually agreed upon. Only bone of contention is "everything in life is not business but something of higher pedestal than just money"

    ReplyDelete

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