Random acts of kindness

A Readers' Digest survey last year said that people in Mumbai are among the rudest in the world. Fortunately, there are people who prove them wrong and will continue to do so. Leaving a shop this morning with my hands full, it was really nice to have a college girl hold the door open for me. It brought back a few memories as well.

Standing in heavy rain, praying that an empty cab would come your way, when all of a sudden a perfect stranger offers you a lift, turns to the grumbling cab driver and says, "In times like this, you should never hesitate to help people."

On another occasion, I'd left the office at 10 in the night. Normally, I'd enjoy the 10 minute walk to the station but no way was that possible at that hour. The cab driver refused the short run; so I paced up and down hoping for one to stop. 10:30 and still no luck. I was beginning to get desperate when the cabbie told me he'd changed his mind, so get in, it's not safe for you to be out here all alone. Yes, it was dangerous but sometimes you have no choice and sometimes you just need to trust.

Visiting a friend who'd lost her mum, I was handed over a blank Christmas card. "She couldn't write it but she'd picked it up for you and she wanted you to have it." That was a tough moment and had me in tears.

But never did more strangers play a role in my life on a single day than years ago when I was desperately searching for a job. So, I'd cleared the written tests conducted by a reputed company here and having an interview scheduled for 1:00 p.m., set off from the house at 11:15 a.m. Getting a bus itself was an ordeal and by the time I'd reached the railway station, a little over 2 km away, it was already noon. Then I had to decide which of the serpentine queues to join. At 12:45, there were around 20 to 25 people still ahead of me and more behind, when the ticket window closed - for lunch. There I was not knowing what to do, on the verge of tears, when the man behind me asked me where I wanted to go. "I'll have your ticket booked," he said. "My friend is just near the ticket counter of the other window. Just tell me where."

Having that out of the way, I did manage to get a train and reach the railway station (at my destination) around 1. Walking the length of the platform, seeking directions to the auto-rickshaw stand, somehow or the other, all the persons I'd asked directed me to the left instead of to the right. To my horror, there were just two or three rickshaws available - hardly what one would expect. Anyway, it turned out that the company I was visiting had two entrances - the main entrance, which was accessible from the highway, and the side entrance, open only to company vehicles. Apparently, the rickshaw driver didn't know the place well and took me via the side entrance where we were stopped by security. By this time, I truly felt the fates were conspiring against me. It was hot, I was tired, there seemed to be hurdles at every stage and I was ready to throw in the towel. Well, I explained the situation to the security guard who told me to pay off the guy and send him on his way. Which I did. "Now what ?" I said. The answer was another security guard roaring up on a Bullet and saying, "Hop on. Will drop you off." I made it to the place at around 1:30, cooled down, finished with the interview and the written test, and a few days later got a call telling me I'd topped and that the job was mine if I wanted it.

If I were in the same situation today, I probably would have just cabbed the distance. But at that time I was almost broke and didn't have much money. Plus I was a little green around the ears, didn't know what the world had in store and still had to build up my self-confidence. It's said that we need to learn things from situations. Perhaps, it was the Universe's way of letting me know that when all seems lost, it isn't. When you have hope and trust that things will work out, or when things are meant to happen, they will. In the most unexpected ways. And, sometimes, with a little help from people you wouldn't normally look at twice.

So, the next time you feel like doing something for someone, don't think. Just go ahead and do it. You never know how it would affect that person's life. Or yours.

Personal space

Why do people find it so difficult to get the meaning of those two simple words ?

Was standing on the church porch listening to mass on Saturday when this guy just comes and plonks himself in front of me. So close that had he just to take a step back, it would have been on my foot. No amount of throat clearing helped; some people are conveniently deaf.

So, I tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Could you please shift a bit ?"

"Why ?"

"Because you are standing too close to me and I do not like it."

Hardly subtle. But at least he moved away.

Sometimes you just can't avoid being rude.

Water, water, everywhere

It's been raining cats and dogs since yesterday and if the weather continues like this, I guess a lot of people would be spending their Sundays at home.

Not that it makes much of a difference to me. As I have my schedule all chalked out. The major part of the day involves catching up with work but a few hours this evening have been put aside for the motogp at Donington Park.

Anyway, on a day like this, I'd really rather be in than out. Somehow, though it's nice to step out in the rain, I can't see myself battling such inclement weather. Which is what it seems to be at the moment - with thunder and lightning at 9:30 in the morning. Even worse than that are the streets here. As it is, in normal circumstances you need to watch your step else you may end up with more on your foot than just your shoe. Can you imagine how it is in the rains ! You can't see where you're going because the streets are waterlogged. Step out of home in freshly washed, newly pressed clothes and within a few seconds, if you're not careful, you have muck all over them. And sometimes, even if you tread carefully. Because some people who never seem to be able to grow out of the childhood activity of splashing around in puddles like to literally spread their 'joy' to those around. As do a number of motorists. Perhaps clean clothes are boring - they look much better with dark spots of muck. The more the better. ;-) A quicker way of sprucing up ones attire is simply to lose ones footing in a ditch or to step into an open manhole - not a very difficult task in normal weather; the rains simply make it easier.

Having said that, I do like the rains. Though I long for the sun when it pours and I yearn for the rains when the sun beats down mercilessly. But, hey, I'm only human.

One thing that never fails to put a smile on my face...

....whenever I'm fortunate enough to see it.

When a particular train pulls in at Churchgate station every evening, there's someone waiting for it at the end of the platform. A four legged darling canine who runs the length of the platform along with the train - at top speed. What's even nicer is the sort of standing ovation and cheers he gets from the commuters on that train.

After a tiring day at work, something like this really lifts your spirits.

Attitude matters

Here I was one Friday morning in June, feeling pretty miserable as I made my way to work, packed like a sardine in a tin-can of an overcrowded train compartment and trying not to pass out from the overwhelming stench of underarms all around me (that early in the morning) when I decided enough is enough. Pull yourself out of it, Del ! So, that's what I did. Started drawing on some nice memories from the past - coming home from a trip, Taffy there to greet me, waiting for me to open my suitcase and see what I'd gotten her (that baby always stayed a baby) - total acceptance - unconditional love - and pretty soon, I was feeling nice. Said goodbye to the crappy feeling.

I guess it shows when you're happy! In the way you walk, your countenance, your attitude and, more importantly, in the way people react to you. Because as I waited to cross the street opposite my office building, this dog left his handler and came running over to me. Wagged his tail, sat down in front of me, waited for his head to be scratched, then jumped all over me and gave my hands a proper licking. I don't know what his handler felt but I certainly was smiling. It put me in a great mood for the rest of the day. Need I say the day went well?

The best things in life sure don't cost the world.

:-)