Dear Readers,
It was my Aunt's birthday last last weekend (approxiamately 15 days ago).We were all looking forward to celebrate her 40th in a special way.Part of the day's plan was to have an all-family lunch.It was a beautiful winter day with warm sunshine so we decided to go to a restaurant where we could sit outside.
We booked a long table for all of us out in the courtyard of the restaurant.There was the usual excitement and confusion on who was ordering what,some wanted to share meals,while others wanted to customise their orders.It was great fun for being part of it.
As we all joked with each other and shared stories and anecdotes,all of a sudden we heard shouting.There was a young woman along with her brother standing near our table having an argument with the waiter.
We ignored this and carried on with our family bonding.The woman's voice however got louder and louder till we could not converse with each other anymore.
Then at the moment many thinkings were sprinting through my mind.Such as,what the hell the woman needed exactly,is she really in some problem or was she trying to make her presence among the crowd as most the women do.
We had no choice but to be subjected to this volatile altercation.
Woman : I want a table in the sun.
Waiter : Mam we are sorry we have other tables outside but we don't have table in the sun.
Woman : I had made a booking for outside and I want that table(pointing to the table we
were sitting on).
Waiter : Mam they had also made a booking and were before you so that table is not
available.Mam please choose any other table you like.
Woman : No I am moving from here till you give me a table in the sun.This is very bad
service.
Waiter : Mam we are (very) sorry.
Woman : I don't want an apology,I just want a sunny table.
You know.....I can sue you.You have ruined my day!!!
And so the argument continued.There were other tables around with families and friends.All of them were looking uncomfortable.The woman and her brother were shouting so loud that everyone had stopped talking.
About half an hour later she and her family stormed out,after writing a long complaint on the feedback form of the restaraunt.
*****READY FOR BATTLE.ALWAYS ARMED FOR AN ATTACK,WE ARE SO READY TO FIGHT,TO SUE,TO SHOUT AND RAISE OUR VOICES,TO THREATEN,TO COMPLAIN TO HIGHER AUTHORITIES.WE FORGET ABOUT OTHERS AROUND US BECAUSE IN THE END WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE MOST IMPORTANT.THE FAMOUS WORDS WE HEAR SO OFTEN AND PERHAPS HAVE SPOKEN OURSELVES,Do you know who I am??? AS OUR EGOS GROW BIGGER OUR HEARTS SHRINK SMALLER.BUT AS SOMEONE ONCE SAID,'Its good to be important,but its important to be nice'.*****
Sometimes when things don't go our way our anger and frustration is thrust upon those whom we consider to be subservient.Our family members-friends,waiters,household staff,salespeople at shops,teachers --people who believe will take our hot words without retaliation and often have no option to express their point of view.
The incident at restaurant was a lesson for me.
A LESSON HOW NOT TO BE.
So the Title goes,"BE KINDER THAN YOU NEED TO BE".
Wish you had a happy reading,
Amar.N.Patil.
