A Priority tag
I went on a late night flight to Mumbai. I had a cabin-size suitcase, packed only half full. It was light to carry. I was going to take it as a hand baggage. But when I checked-in the girl at the counter asked if I could check-in my baggage, as there were lots of people with hand baggage and it would be difficult to accommodate them all in the overhead lockers. As an incentive, she offered to tag my bag with a ‘priority’ tag so that when I reach Mumbai it would come out in the first lot of bags.
As I had nearly two hours to wait in the airport it was so convenient not to have a suitcase to drag along everywhere, or carry it up the stairs while boarding.
I also asked the girl for a seat in the Exit row to have enough legroom to stretch. She gave me the window seat in row 1. That too was most convenient.
And at the other end, when I arrived at 11.15 p.m., my bag came without any delay as promised. I felt so proud to have this special privilege.
Just with these two facilities I felt as if I traveled in Business Class.
On the way back I had the same suitcase. But this time it was full. It was a bit heavy. It would be difficult for me to carry. Still I planned to carry it on board, but took a chance and asked the girl if I could have a ‘priority’ tag if I checked in my bag. She asked whether I had a card – Gold or Platinum I suppose. I told her I don’t have it, but I am requesting the privilege because after reaching the destination I have to travel further to Ranipet for another two and a half hours. The girl obliged and gave my suitcase a ‘priority’ tag.
It helps to ask. It also helps when you look and behave elderly.
But this time I forgot to ask for a seat in the Exit row or at least a window or an isle seat and ended up in the middle seat!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Disability of a different kind
Disability of a different kind
Yesterday I was standing in a long queue to board the plane. A man entered the queue in front of me. He had some disability in his leg. He was dragging his leg. I gave him enough space and waited patiently behind him to let him go in his own pace.
A thought struck me that it is not my usual behaviour when somebody jumps the queue anywhere - whether in a bank, movie theater, railway station, in the checkout counter in a super market or even a driver on the road overtaking me when the road is not clear and tries to squeeze in front of me and expects me slow down to accommodate him.
I will not just accept it and let them go. I will show my displeasure, verbally, by a look or a raised eyebrow or honking the horn.
What made me behave differently this time? Is it because of the person’s disability? What if I could understand that people with unacceptable behaviour have an invisible disability? Wouldn’t it make me more tolerant of others?
Isn’t it obvious that people who jump the queue are disabled by impatience, ignorance of the norms, bad manners and self-centeredness?
Is it some kind of an insight? Would I remember this learning next time I encounter such a situation?
Yesterday I was standing in a long queue to board the plane. A man entered the queue in front of me. He had some disability in his leg. He was dragging his leg. I gave him enough space and waited patiently behind him to let him go in his own pace.
A thought struck me that it is not my usual behaviour when somebody jumps the queue anywhere - whether in a bank, movie theater, railway station, in the checkout counter in a super market or even a driver on the road overtaking me when the road is not clear and tries to squeeze in front of me and expects me slow down to accommodate him.
I will not just accept it and let them go. I will show my displeasure, verbally, by a look or a raised eyebrow or honking the horn.
What made me behave differently this time? Is it because of the person’s disability? What if I could understand that people with unacceptable behaviour have an invisible disability? Wouldn’t it make me more tolerant of others?
Isn’t it obvious that people who jump the queue are disabled by impatience, ignorance of the norms, bad manners and self-centeredness?
Is it some kind of an insight? Would I remember this learning next time I encounter such a situation?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Observing my thoughts
Observing my thoughts
"When a father gives away his daughter, do you know how much was the hidden cost?"
- I read this and felt what a nice way of putting it. It must be a professional Accountant asking.
In Chennai while I was passing by the 'Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board' (சென்னை குடிநீர் வழங்கல், கழிவு நீர் அகற்றும் வாரியம்) I felt they should have separate Board for these two functions to avoid contamination.
"When a father gives away his daughter, do you know how much was the hidden cost?"
- I read this and felt what a nice way of putting it. It must be a professional Accountant asking.
In Chennai while I was passing by the 'Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board' (சென்னை குடிநீர் வழங்கல், கழிவு நீர் அகற்றும் வாரியம்) I felt they should have separate Board for these two functions to avoid contamination.
Chasing the Dream
Chasing the Dream
Last nigh I watched "The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream" on TV. Being a tele-movie it was short and crisp. It was pleasant to watch all through.
The movie is about an unlikely figure skating pair: A champion figure skater paired with a tough tomboyish ice hockey player. I found it very enjoyable watching all the twist and turns and jumps they do so smoothly like in a ballet.
To win the nationals, the pair must do a new life-threatening move nobody has risked doing lately. The move involves the man picking the woman up by an ankle, swinging her up and down and around at greater speeds and parabolic angles and throwing her up into the air, after which the pair spins identically but at different heights. It ends with the man catching the woman on her way down as they both come out of their spins, bringing her down on to her feet.
When they executed this move it was so spectacular, I involuntarily stood up and clapped with joy. After a pair has gone through such an experience is it any wonder / surprise that they expressed their love for each other? They could have done that move only as a team with trust in each other - main ingredient for love, any kind of love between any two individuals.
I liked the movie very much. I am romantic at heart. It made me bubble with happiness and energy for the rest of the evening.
Last nigh I watched "The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream" on TV. Being a tele-movie it was short and crisp. It was pleasant to watch all through.
The movie is about an unlikely figure skating pair: A champion figure skater paired with a tough tomboyish ice hockey player. I found it very enjoyable watching all the twist and turns and jumps they do so smoothly like in a ballet.
To win the nationals, the pair must do a new life-threatening move nobody has risked doing lately. The move involves the man picking the woman up by an ankle, swinging her up and down and around at greater speeds and parabolic angles and throwing her up into the air, after which the pair spins identically but at different heights. It ends with the man catching the woman on her way down as they both come out of their spins, bringing her down on to her feet.
When they executed this move it was so spectacular, I involuntarily stood up and clapped with joy. After a pair has gone through such an experience is it any wonder / surprise that they expressed their love for each other? They could have done that move only as a team with trust in each other - main ingredient for love, any kind of love between any two individuals.
I liked the movie very much. I am romantic at heart. It made me bubble with happiness and energy for the rest of the evening.
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