"We're meant to serve. We're NOT their servants!" Says Bob Hoskins character to JLo's character from the movie "Maid in Manhattan".
People often forget the difference between an occupation and
a character. They are blinded by money, power and society-defined status to
clearly see that those defined as ‘lesser or ‘lower’ than them are but mere
humans going about their roles and occupations.
I have seen my share of injustice and really inhumane behaviour to downright bullying.
But some recent stints at my company where I work triggered me to pen down a
few thoughts. It really irks me when people are rude for no apparent reason
especially to those who don't have a voice or haven’t found their’s yet. Yes, I
have been rude and angry: with family, boyfriend, friends etc. But I have consciously
watched my tone with a maid, security guards, servers and those who do service,
beggars and urchins, rickwalas and cabbies. They live with injustice and uncouth behaviour and attitude thrown
all day save for when they are asleep. No one seems to see eye to eye with
them. That’s why I am surprised at them expressing surprise at my very polite behaviour
to them (Mental note: If only I made the same effort with near and dear ones
when I am about to lose the string on temper).
If 1 were subjected to negative attitude and beaten down
mentally and emotionally all day long, they will appear regressive or
aggressive – both in the extremes. Take for example the employees at my place
of occupation. Although my organization boasts 1 of the top places to work
professionally, as a brand, in experience; it also takes pride in exercising their
upkeep of women and their superior role, housekeeping, FnB and other tertiary
domains. Yet, I find it absolutely blasphemous that housekeeping staff has to
clean the corners and curves with bare hands. It includes large corridors,
restrooms and kitchen and service areas. I have watched and wondered if a pair
of gloves and hygiene equipment really creates a hole in their multi-billion
dollar kitty.
Employees yell at FnB staff and order food like a warden
ordering a miscreant prisoner from the yard to his holding cell. It’s not like
anyone made a mistake. It appears like they think it’s a natural and acceptable
manner of communication. Rickwalas are treated like scum – plausible excuse
being that they are ‘Northies’. Why the typecast? Another very mundane e.g.
would be: Recently I was getting into a rick with a Muslim driver. I
particularly find them to be very polite with more than immaculate Hindi
diction. And they mind their own business. A few classmates 1st
discouraged me saying it was late and they didn’t trust ‘these’ drivers. I
shrugged it off and got in. At the end of my ride the driver asked me to place
the money on the meter and not in his hands. I asked him repeatedly why this
odd exchange. He said they don’t touch unmarried ladies or women that are not
their immediate family. I wasn’t offended. I was smiling and complied. It was
the month of Ramadan. I only wished that my disapproving friends who were looking
out for my safety had seen this driver’s attitude. Maybe they wouldn’t then be
quick to typecast and judge.
I know good and bad people and they don’t come from a
particular background. The divide is just cuz of society. They are quick to
blame a religion or a state or a country or a socio-economic background. 1
forgets our birth, upbringing and circumstances also define us. Not just define us. There are those
who rise out of the muck so clean and polished, 1 would never believe they once
existed on the other side of the fence. They have class, dreams, desires, ideas
and survival skills that even adrenaline rush wouldn't pop in our cosily raised
minds.
So while we are comfortable hailing a rick and speeding off
to wherever we wanna go, don’t forget the endless lines of people waiting in
the rain and grime for that 1 bus, BEST drivers, conductors and railway
employees who works holidays and long hours to shuttle us thankless passengers
who trample, beat and abuse them, the driver who sleeps in his vehicle, eats
measly meals and drives and drives even taking bathroom breaks mid-commute. There
are countless we don’t see and hear. Like I said earlier, “People who don’t have
a voice or haven’t found their’s yet.” They will find a voice. Someday. Somehow.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
