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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sarcasm vs. Niceties

Everyone who knows me is aware (and scared) of my confrontational attitude, especially when I am super-angry. That trait kicks in especially with strangers who are callously throwing thrash or spitting on the road.
So, when I saw a woman in a virar-churchgate local throwing the spinach branches out of the window (bunches of them!), I was trying to think of the most offensive comeback possible. Since that was taking time, I was just contending myself by giving her killer looks, when a 16-something girl sitting next to me spoke up.
"Aunty ji, don't throw it outside. Here put it in this plastic bag. I will throw it later."
The lady just smiled and took the offer up.

That incident taught me many important lessons. It is not necessary, or indeed useful, to be confrontational. I don't think the bottle throwing lady would have learnt anything by my sarcasm. However, this spinach-branch throwing lady will, in all probability, carry a plastic bag the next time. Being nice sometimes conveys a stronger message than being sarcastic.

5 comments:

Kunal Chandra said...

Agree!!!! I remember a similar incident many years ago when I was in a train with my dad. Some people were eating groundnuts and throwing the shells all around. After a little conversation with my dad and after his approval, I picked up everything from the floor and went to look for a bin 9the one's near the washrooms in trains). I was too a child then. Have never done such a thing ever snice I have grown up. Guess children are just more capable.

Ashwin said...

Strangers alone? DAI! Last week I pulled off that little tag that was on the stroller and your Sauron eyes were on it the entire time! Ahaan is in for a treat very soon :D :D

Good moral lesson tho!

C Sharat said...

That's probably the reason why Gandhiji chose the route of peace and non-violence. Actions definitely speak louder than words.

Anonymous said...

the bottle throwing lady ?? why do i get a feeling that i was witness to that incident :)

very nice post btw arch :)

Archana said...

@Kunal: Wow, that is truly commendable. Am glad your dad let you do it!

@Antbrain: Haha!!! I pity you my poor hubby, I pity you! I'll raze Ahaan alive if he turns out to be a garbage thrower.

@Sharat: Very true.. its just a matter of learning a very difficult lesson.

@Anon: Oh yes you so were! :)