Recently came across a book review of "The myth and reality of office life". Must check it out one of these days....

'How much is it?' I asked as I checked the reading on the cab's electronic meter. 'दो सौ पैतालीस' said the cabbie. ' दो सौ पैतालीस? मतलब कितना'. I said in a puzzled tone. The driver looked at me as if I am from another planet. 'Is it two hundred fourty five or two hundred thirty five?' I asked again. Now it was his turn to get puzzled. Oh dear, 3 years of Hindi in school wasn't helping me here. ' दो सौ पैतालीस मतलब दो सौ पचास में पांच कम या पंधरा?' I asked in desperation. 'पांच मेडम' he said. I handed over the money and got down wondering if he was the illiterate one or I was.

It is not often that you come across a cab driver who is philosophical about life. Last week I ran into one. We were stuck in a traffic jam where I get stuck every day. He muttered something under his breath and then turned to me 'If everyone drives in straight line then there will be no jams'. I nodded. 'But who will tell them? If you try to, they will only shout at you and curse. Even educated people don't know how to behave with others'.

I folded the newspaper that I was reading. 'I don't think civility has anything to do with education. They don't teach you that in school or college. Now-a-days the kids spend more time away from the family so there's no teaching of basic values anywhere during their developing years.' Now it was his turn to nod. 'You are right. People don't know how to talk to their elders. They don't even know how to talk to their younger ones. It used to be so different in my time'. He said sadly.

I looked at him and wondered if I will say the same a few years down the lane.