Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Merely for a bus seat

I was in Mumbai whole of last week and now going over to Bangalore. Have not been posting comments for sometime now, though my great blog friends have been doing so promptly. A thousand apologies on that. Will do so once I am back in Sharjah in a fortnight. Had a great opportunity for the first time to meet blog friends Pankaj and Nikki. More about Mumbai visit later. A little Chennai experience now.
Men and women are seated in separate sections in Chennai buses. When the women’s seats are vacant, it is common for men to occupy them. I was one among them. As we were almost reaching the suburban destination, I thought there would be no hassle. But suddenly there was a rush of passengers as the preceding bus had halted due to a technical fault. I was surrounded by women in a few minutes, old, young, pretty and sisterly types. I was about to rise to leave way for one of them when the man sitting next to me held my hand and cautioned: “Sit back. We will be crushed in this crowd.” I tried to hang on to my seat with my head down, but could hear nasty comments from some women, “why can’t they get up, fools.” My second attempt too was thwarted by the man. At last, I decided enough was enough, got up and moved on. The man refused to budge, but the four-letter verbal mauling by some women made him relent. He reluctantly got up, looked at me like a man whose new dress had been dirtied by crow shit and stood quietly near me till I got off the bus.

11 comments:

  1. You did the right thing. It's good to hear that you are doing well, good friend. Looking forward to hearing from you again. Peace and love to you and your family. Affectionate hugs to all. Namaste

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  2. I don't know.. I am sure I would be among the women who would make the men get up.. So the wrong person to comment.. The reason I think its fair is because women do get treated quite badly in the buses.. Plus there might be pregnant women in the mix too..

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  3. u encourage me to post an experience of mine in a DTC Bus...soon it will come..lemme know wen u come to bangalore..[try a weekend please :P]

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  4. What an interesting experience...at least for me since I`m not familiar with separate areas for men and women...I`m always fascinated by the way social codes are enforced. I have been on buses in Puerto Rico where signs are posted to give your seat to the handicapped or the elderly. I feel so shocked when young men don`t give their seat to their seniors...eventually, someone gives up their seat and then it starts a trend of helping. I love it when that happens. Another curious dynamic occurs when I don`t know if I should give my seat to a man who is having difficulty...because older men feel women should sit. It`s hard to know if an older man´s pride will be hurt if I attempt to give my seat to him. It`s almost like calling him ¨old`! Have a great vacation and keep posting stories. <3

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  5. Hmmm I would have stared hard if a guy doesn't leave the seat :-) but then I would do so if the guy is occupying a seat meant for ladies only :-)

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  6. You have narrated a common-place experience in your unique style.

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  7. Nice Experience.Chennai is still having the old concept.But Mumbai you will have different experience.Iam eager to wait for you in Sharjah.Regardsto all family members.
    K.Ragavan.

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  8. I would do the same as the women...probably threaten you and make you get up from that seat...hahha! You seem to be having an interesting time in India :))

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  9. I would do the same as the women...probably threaten you and make you get up from that seat...hahha! You seem to be having an interesting time in India :))

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  10. sorry for that episode :)

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