I have recently moved back to Delhi and travel by metro extensively. Not a great experience but considering the time, energy (which otherwise would have expended in driving) and money (courtesy my sindhi roots) it saves, I have embraced it with both hands!
But what is most interesting to me are the Bullies I see almost every day. Now one would think that what can possible be so interesting about bullies as they are almost everywhere in Delhi-NCR. But these not the bodybuilder types, they are the 50-60 age people who pretend to be senior citizens and believe that its their birthright to sit not just on the seats reserved for senior citizens but also the seats where it says "please give this seat to the one who needs it more than you do". Now here is the question - would a young guy who had been standing for more than an hour need this seat more or the 50+ person who has just entered the metro? I have politely asked a few guys to produce their id cards so that I can find out whether they really are sr. citizen or only pretend to be one and have got very rude response, which i couldn't understand. Isn't it my right to check before i vacate the seat coz if he isn't that old then perhaps both of us have equal right on that seat?
The other category of bullies are the females! Now before you start dialing National commission of women cell, please read a few more lines about what I have to say. The females I am talking about are the ones who wouldn't go to the coach reserved for them but would get into any of the other coaches because they know that they can get any seat vacated by the male citizens of the country unless ofcourse they are very very old. So they blatantly would ask for the seats which are marked for more needy ones. Again the same question - would a female who has just entered the metro need this seat more or the guy who had been standing for over an hour.
And the most interesting aspect of this is that the bystanders also support the females and the guys pretending to be senior citizens although they have no business mediating in between!! Now I know many would think that I shouldn't be saying this about the females as its not easy being one in a city like delhi, but what about the guys who dont do anything to females. Isn't it absolutely unfair to them that the 50% seats they are allowed to sit on are also not always available to them while they constitute roughly 80% of all the travelers!!
Anyway, I personally enjoy giving it back to these bullies and help others also who are getting bullied and its my sincere hope that more people realize that sympathy shouldn't come only on the basis of age / sex but based on the merit of each case.!!
But what is most interesting to me are the Bullies I see almost every day. Now one would think that what can possible be so interesting about bullies as they are almost everywhere in Delhi-NCR. But these not the bodybuilder types, they are the 50-60 age people who pretend to be senior citizens and believe that its their birthright to sit not just on the seats reserved for senior citizens but also the seats where it says "please give this seat to the one who needs it more than you do". Now here is the question - would a young guy who had been standing for more than an hour need this seat more or the 50+ person who has just entered the metro? I have politely asked a few guys to produce their id cards so that I can find out whether they really are sr. citizen or only pretend to be one and have got very rude response, which i couldn't understand. Isn't it my right to check before i vacate the seat coz if he isn't that old then perhaps both of us have equal right on that seat?
The other category of bullies are the females! Now before you start dialing National commission of women cell, please read a few more lines about what I have to say. The females I am talking about are the ones who wouldn't go to the coach reserved for them but would get into any of the other coaches because they know that they can get any seat vacated by the male citizens of the country unless ofcourse they are very very old. So they blatantly would ask for the seats which are marked for more needy ones. Again the same question - would a female who has just entered the metro need this seat more or the guy who had been standing for over an hour.
And the most interesting aspect of this is that the bystanders also support the females and the guys pretending to be senior citizens although they have no business mediating in between!! Now I know many would think that I shouldn't be saying this about the females as its not easy being one in a city like delhi, but what about the guys who dont do anything to females. Isn't it absolutely unfair to them that the 50% seats they are allowed to sit on are also not always available to them while they constitute roughly 80% of all the travelers!!
Anyway, I personally enjoy giving it back to these bullies and help others also who are getting bullied and its my sincere hope that more people realize that sympathy shouldn't come only on the basis of age / sex but based on the merit of each case.!!
kahan fase ho, Trying to talk about equality not only between genders but also between the generation above us. I read in an article recently that true equality is about respecting the differences. I understand that the social norms have made it a practice to offer the seat to those who are needy (er.. women and old-er people) - and hence your refusal to bow down to social norms usually makes you stand out. While generalising of the social norm and using it to your advantage is wrong - Singling them as bullies is also not a right thing to do. Maybe politely refusing is the right way - "Mam/Sir - I got this seat only 5 mins ago. I have been standing for over an hour. I am sorry"
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