Reality bites

GN is getting better at their articles. The irony it all was in the open within the very first line.
"I am ready to punch anyone ... who calls Mumbai rude," said Rekha Nigam from
Mumbai, now a Dubai resident.

Yes, finally, the truth is out. Much to the chagrin of fellow Indians who hate to be told the truth. It first began with this story on India topping the UNAIDS list. This was promptly followed by rebuttals, name calling, cannot compare-apples-to-oranges, India-haters, etc.

Now, Readers digest cliams that Mumbai is the worlds rudest city. Damn right, and I couldn't agree more. Besides, it isn't in our culture to help anyone. Except women that is. And make that fair women. The obsession for "extremely fair" women is accentuated by fellow Indians since the day they are born. Even the toothless 99 year old granny whom you've forgotten will have a special place for you in her heart (if you're the fair damsel), even if you can't remember what her name is. Enough of that psycho-analysis. But onto another psycho-analysis.

THE SELF DENIAL SYNDROME.

We come across it everyday. It exists and feeds on our guilt. We all have a self denial syndrome. But how many of us transfer this syndrome and make it a part of our nation?

The responses from Mumbaikars have been overwhelming. NYC is 'ruder', (insert any top city here) is much worse, etc. Why not agree with the truth. That it is rude, not because it wants to, because it has to.

Yes, it has to...

You see, we Indians are a sorry lot. We do not conduct business in a fair manner. We do not form relationships in a fair manner. We do not step up and say 'hello' in a fair manner. Why, a simple 'hello' on a trip somwhere is usually met with a scorn (fair damsel exceptions apply here). The scorn immediately dissolves once you prove that you:
(a) Aren't a salesman.
(b) Aren't a person in need of anything.
(c) Just wanna know the time.

Why don't we conduct business in a fair manner? Because if you did, you'd be the butt of jokes at the income tax office. It's mandatory to bounce / issue late cheques just to prove that you are indeed a tough nut to crack. If you ever commit the crime of being straightforward, be prepared to be knifed.

When it comes to relationships, its just a bloody extension of this too. 80% of us haven't married someone whom we were in love with. We marry expecting to fall in love. The dowry is usually large enough to forget about your significant other for a significant amount of time. Thats usually until her father starts using you as a doormat.

Mumbaikars have forgotten too much too soon. It wan't long back a street urchin was brutally raped within the gaze of many office goers on a public train at midnight. Not one person lifted a finger. It still is a practice to treat women like prostitutes if they are seen at bus stops or phone booths anytime after 8 pm. It still is a practice to push standing passengers off the train when its jampacked without an inch of space.

In all fairness, Reader Digest is right. But we aren't wrong. Don't we have to be rude in order to be macho and show our toughness? There was a time when I never was tough with kids, the kids you see on the street playing cricket. But times have changed. Even they would make an ass out of you if you smile at them. Chin up, no smile, a 1000 yard stare elicit subconscious admiration in the hearts of these little devils.

This is what I found out, the hard way.

There's nothing wrong in being rude when the system you inhabit is rude itself.

Lets keep that in mind, before you go 'punch' people up. After all, the tigers of Mumbai surface only on Valentines Day and thats when you could don a yellow panther thong and get yourself some justice.