Some years ago, we had taken the granddaughters for a day out at a swanky mall in Mumbai. At lunch, the girls and their grandmother decided on Burgers. I chose cheese Pizza. While the wife occupied a table in the crowded eatery, the girls and I went for placing our respective self-help orders.
The Pizza Hut was crowded. My poor hearing is even more awful in noisy places. I have to rely on sign language. I put my finger at the required item on the cardboard menu and pushed a Rs 500 note across the counter. The girl said something. I pointed at my ear to indicate my hearing problem. She lowered her mask and repeated. In the surrounding din it too went unheard. She then wrote, "Do you have 200 rupees change?" and showed it to me. "Sorry Nandini, I don't have change", I said, noticing her name tab. She lowered her mask and spoke loudly for me to hear. "Thank you, sir, you are the first person to address me by name." Some 10 minutes later when I went to collect the pizza, there were three customers ahead in the queue. The moment she saw me, instead of waiting for the delivery boy to bring the order, she herself walked to the service counter and picked it up.
The younger granddaughter wanted something from a bath care shop. Due to Covid, a girl at the entrance was only allowing limited number. When we reached the head of the queue, one person came out and she signalled for one to enter. Complying with instructions I gave my wallet to the 10-year-old girl and sent her in. The gate girl must have realised it and few seconds later she told me I could enter. "Thank you, Carol that is indeed kind of you." I could see her face light up with a smile. Later, as the four of us were passing in front of that shop, Carol saw me and waved familiarly.
Some months ago, I travelled from Chandigarh to Delhi by a taxi. On reaching Delhi I thanked the driver and took their company card. Next morning I called up the owner. "Is that Mr Babli Sharma, owner of ISBT Taxi Company?" After a pause, I heard a feeble "yes" spoken with apprehensive hesitation. "I have actually called up to compliment you. I travelled in one of your taxis to Delhi yesterday. The vehicle was in excellent condition and Paramjit is a very skilled driver." Mr Sharma warmed up instantly. "Thank you, sir", he responded in a strong voice, "While I get many complaints, no one gives me a call like yours. It will be our pleasure to serve you again sir."
Recently, "_Kaise ho Har Prasad_"? I asked reading his name on the pocket, as he was mopping the floor of the crowded washroom at Palam airport. He held the stick of the mop between his knees, and folded his hands with reverential gratitude. His beaming smile said it all.
We live in a materialistic age. With its focus on consumerism, the society is becoming more and more impersonal. We tend to treat service providers as automatons; simply as breathing robots. How many of us talk to a lift operator, a taxi driver, a cinema ticket seller and others as persons and exchange pleasantries? It may seem innocuous but it makes someone's day.
Try it.
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