Mobile phone etiquettes are something that indeed need to be taught in India.
Meetings, movies, shows are interrupted with a rude “Mauja hi Mauja” ring from a mobile phone. I guess this is much talked about in any case. What I am speaking about is the use of mobile phones for hollering in public places.I was traveling from Calcutta to Mumbai in a Jet airways flight. While take off, as usual there were the repeated safety warnings of seatbelts, mobiles, no smoking etc. Despite everything, a sardarji was bellowing on his cellphone about his next meeting and his entire tour itinerary. Not one Indian raised his voice in protest at his blatant flouting of rules. One foreigner finally raised his voice. The sardar instead of being apologetic started abusing the guy who asked him to switch off his mobile. Look at the irony of the situation. On one hand we grumble about defaulting airlines, lack of procedure, babudom and what not. On the other hand, we, the so called educated and civilized people cannot handle miniscule inconveniences due to rules for our own safety and welfare.
A Mumbai-Pune travel had become torturous once, when there were people discussing their office deals loudly, a girl telling her friend about the entire history of her relationship with her boyfriend and her travails with him. Another woman was exchanging entire recipes for her darling 6 year old daughter who was studying in “abc school” and who loved putting on make up. Damn, who is interested in all their lives, when all you wanna do is put ur head down and sleep after a tiring day?
Another day at Café Coffee Day, where ppl come to chill and relax, there was this guy with two others. He was bellowing at the top of his voice on his phone for a good 20 mins.. “You baboon, how could you go ahead with this deal…blah blah blah…You lollypop, do u know the implications of this blah blah blah, you ass, you moron, blah blah blah…” In short, he managed to ruin the atmosphere of the entire café by making himself heard for a good 20 meters.
Why cannot Indians, just learn to be simply courteous? There are other people around too. In a public place, can’t they really keep their affairs to themselves? We do not want to know about their clients and their multi crore deals and their boyfriends. Will the world really tumble down if they switched off their mobiles during flights and if they didn’t blabber so loudly?
Richa
I wrote a comment on another post on another blog on the same topic. We Indians also do not know of a phrase called 'mind your own business'. Someone talking loudly in a cafe, walk out. Someone shouting at a bus stop - look for another one. Simple. We should stop acting like we own the world. I know it is irritating when people speak loudly in public places...I feel like smacking a few myself but then it is what it is - a PUBLIC place. It is as much theirs as ours. I am all for people following basic etiquettes but I am also for people minding their own business.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't tell someone off unless they were in my house or in a situation like using a mobile phone in a plane (which might have dangerous implications).
It is because it is a public place, that I cannot tell people off. However tell me, if your neighbour forever plays loud music when you want peace, will you consider minding your own business? When people go to places such as cafes they pay for the atmosphere. Its upto certain individuals to mind their Ps and Qs.
ReplyDeleteRicha
Well whadda'ya know! a girl that doesn't what the occasional gossip!! :D
ReplyDeleteJust kidding!
THis also extends to not paying taxes and breaking the traffic signals, particularly the latter...we can't wait for even two minutes. I believe we were never prepared for the automobile revolution and neither were our roads!
ReplyDeleteI visited this blog first time and found it very interesting and informative.. Keep up the good work thanks.van leasing
ReplyDelete