I
live in a very crowded locality of East Delhi.
Every morning we wake up to the sounds of heavy traffic, vendors selling
stuff or calling out to provide for some or other services. The sight of people working hard to earn their
living is satisfying as well as sad. It is sad when some people look down upon
these vendors and start misbehaving with them
One
such person who never fails to come early morning is a cobbler. I now know him
well as he has meticulously mend many of my most favorite footwear. In a
hurried rush my neighbor called out for him when he passed by this morning. Within half an hour I could hear my neighbor shouting
out loud at the cobbler. She blamed him for overcharging. She got her five pair
of shoes repaired and wanted to pay him Rs. 15, he was asking for around Rs. 20. For
the difference of mere 5 Rupees, she shouted on the top of her voice and created
a scene. And then took pride in getting a good deal done by bargaining 5 Rupees
off. The cobbler silently left with a look of disappointment on his wrinkled face.
It’s
not a 5 Rupees tale. What makes me sad
is my neighbor’s attitude. She is very well off and is a big shopaholic. She
should have happily paid the cobbler his well deserved fee of 20 Rupees.
It
is a pitiful state. We try to oppress
the one who is already in misery. Some people are really losing humility,
empathy and moral values.
What do you guys think? Please share
your thoughts in the comment section below.
(Pic – Here)
It is that nature which comes to those who think anything given to them with a printed bill is just too "low class" to bargain. But how much pretentious they are becomes apparent when they bargain with the poors with no glossy printed bills.
ReplyDeleteSo is becoming the human nature. We are becoming pretentious and deceiving ourselves.
DeleteIt's the sad nature of us humans. Even when doing a wedding, we want to show off some much, but never think of feeding the hungry or the poor who need it the most rather we just make fat people more fat.
ReplyDeleteYes dear, it is just like a rat race. following certain customs blindly.
DeleteI don't believe in haggling with people over their asking price. If they state it will be 20 rupees, it will be 20 rupees. But I also try to look at myself as part of the system, doing my part to spread the money to the next person who spreads it to the next person, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. One must be genuine.
DeleteI am totally with you on this one. I have never understood why people incessantly bargain with street vendors while doling out large sums in malls. Very sad!
ReplyDeleteYup, this is really sad. Greed and an attitude to pretend has taken over our senses.
DeletePeople are ready to pay the amount whatever listed when they go to mall,cinema etc.We have seen that these people bargain only to the street vendors who depend their entire life on the sales proceeds.Sad to know about this.
ReplyDeleteSriram & Krithiga
People have forgot the values of sharing and caring. We live for ourselves that is it. This is really sad and all should put efforts to change such habits.
DeleteI agree. Perhaps if the vendor had demanded a really excessive amount, the argument was agreeable. But for 5 rupees, to oppress him that way till she got her way is really saddening to see.
ReplyDeleteExactly Vinay , my point is one should be genuine. There is no point in harassing somebody for anything.
DeleteIt is a common scenario....People trample on those who they consider 'under' them...Vanity rules. Would they bargain or shout if they were in a high-rise shopping mall....No, their vanity would suffer. They would rather willingly pay for the over-priced commodity and then boast of it in front of their other shallow friends....Ah, society....!
ReplyDeleteYou are right Sunaina, people wants to show off anyhow, values are getting lost.
DeleteI see such cases every now and then. People scream on the rickshaw drivers just because they want 2 Rs extra as the roads get waterlogged in the monsoon.
ReplyDeleteI feel really sad, Swati. Thanks to you for writing a post on this topic. I wish people become a bit more compassionate. The world will be such a better place then.
That is the reason I never bargain with rickshaw drivers. I simply believe that a smile of face of these people can never put a dent on my pocket.
DeleteCompassionate is the right word Purba. thanks.
I hate such people. They buy overpriced fancy products but can't compensate hard working folks. Some situations do warrant bargaining but hers was not the case. Sad to read this.
ReplyDeleteDoing bargaining at a right place for right value or product is fine, but some people unnecessarily try to dominate and oppress as if it is their birth right.
DeleteThis is one thing that has baffled me about the rich people. They spend huge amounts in malls and other places while they bargain with poor creatures for one or two rupees. I have never been able to understand why they do this.
ReplyDeleteThey think that one or two rupee makes then richer. but actually such acts makes them much poorer.
DeleteSad that those who can afford to pay behave in such a haughty manner!
ReplyDeleteYes Rahul, it is really sad to see such behavior. We need to be compassionate.
DeleteThis shows the position of some so called educated people, who think that they have the right to abuse anyone.I believe on moral grounds they stand nowhere.
ReplyDeleteYou have said it well that such people have no standing on a moral ground, they are much poorer here.
DeleteVery touching anecdote shared by you. Should prove to be an eye-opener for many.
ReplyDeleteJitendra Mathur
Thanks a lot :-)
Delete