Our mentality

Last week I was traveling by a local bus to reach my office. Our bus reached a cross-section of the roads when it had to stop due to traffic. It was a bit unusual delay in the bus to proceed further, as that junction is not known for any traffic jams whatsoever. Then, one vehicle in front of our bus took a u-turn and went back. Seeing this happening, many passengers in our bus thought there might be some accident that was the root cause of the trouble. Many of them stood up from their seats and craned their necks outside the bus windows to know actually what has happened. It was evident from the reactions on their faces that they were not able to se anything wrong on the road ahead, which was jammed by many vehicles in front of us. After a minute or so, our bus started moving, and it drew nearer to the point where the accident was supposed to have taken place. Almost all passengers were now peeking out of the windows to get a glimpse of the accident. And as we crossed the spot, there was no accident. The jam was caused by a huge lorry that had taken a wrong turn, and now its driver was trying to reverse it so that he can take it into the right direction.

I was happy that that there was no unfortunate incident that had happened on the road. But the disappointment on the faces of fellow-passengers drew my attention. People were disappointed that they did not get any subject on which they could gossip later with their friends.

I wonder as to what has happened to our mentality. Are we so irrational that we care more for something that will make us center of attraction when we narrate the accident that we saw on the road, than thanking God that there has been no untoward happening around us. Lately it has been a matter of discussion in the philosophical circles as to why people are more attracted towards bad news in a newspaper than good news. My observation is only another proof as to that this is indeed happening.

You may ask, how will change? Or, will it change after all? I have faith that this mentality of ours will change. I do not know how long will it take. I wish I knew how this change will take place.

Lending money to a stranger

Few days ago, as I was going to my colleagues house for a dinner invitation I was stopped by a man riding a scooter. He took out his helmet, and asked me can I help him. I wondered what can I do. Here is the rest of the conversation.

"Hey, I just need to buy some petrol from the nearest petrol-bunk. Can you help me?"
"Yes, I know the nearest petrol-bunk."
"No man. Can you help me to buy this much petrol?" he said indicating with his hand as if he wanted just a pinch of petrol.

I thought for a moment. I had little over Rs.200 (US$ 4) with me. In India, 1 litre of petrol costs Rs. 50. How much could I help him? Still I climbed on the pillion seat.

It was just 5 minutes ride. On the way I learnt that he had been riding on a busy road, when suddenly police stopped him and asked him for his papers. He did not have them on his hand, and had to pay quite a good sum as fine. Now he did not have even a penny, and will not be able to reach his home with the amount of petrol left in his scooter.

As we came to the petrol bunk, I handed him a Rs.100 note. He asked for more, and then I showed him my wallet containing the other one. Before taking leave he took my phone number, telling that he will call me the next day and pay me back. I trusted him and did not take his contact details.

I am still waiting for his call after 2 weeks.

I always try to learn from the incidents that happen around me. But I wonder what I had to learn from this one. Should I take the contact address from those whom I lend money from now on, however small sum it may be? Or should I stop trusting starngers with money?

A friend v/s a colleague

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Each one of us need a friend who is there to help us in the times of need. Those of us who have a friend are really fortunate. And others who do not have, are in search of one.

Ever thought that your colleagues can be your friend? Let us take a scenario. Your friend joins the same organization for which you are currently working. He is now your colleague. You will definitely consider yourself lucky. He is going to be by your side through-out the day, may be even outside the office hours.

Now let's take the other scenario, where you are looking for a friend amongst your colleagues. This is not a very comfortable situation. Finding a friend is not a piece of cake.

If you are trying to figure out as to who among your colleagues can be good friend of yours, try to gauze how much he or she is interested in you. The following points can help:

Friend: Is interested in your life & career apart from his own.

Colleague: Is interested in you if you are helpful in his life & career.

Friend: Will share your workload if you need it, irrespective of his roles and responsibilities.

Colleague: Will ask you to share his workload.

Friend: Will wait for you so that you can join him for lunch.

Colleague: Will tell you that he had to miss his lunch to gain your sympathy.

Friend: Will share all the information with you irrespective of what you share with him.

Colleague: Will share information with you if can extract something more from you.

Friend: Will even wait for you after the office-hours so that both of you can leave together from the office.

Colleague: Not concerned as to when you leave the office.

Friend: If you are not well, he will be there to care for you in office, and outside the office.

Colleague: If you are not well, he will ensure that he does not get your workload.

If any of your colleagues satisfies most of the points mentioned above, then he/she is planning to be your friend.

Remember that the best way to make a friend is to be one. Look back at yourself & introspect whether you can be a friend to somebody or not.

If we don't focus...

When we are about to undertake a new task or new project, we need to ensure we don't lose our focus till the completion of the task. The sole purpose for which the task has been undertaken should not be forgotten, and all the activities that are done to complete the task should not conflict with the final purpose.

If the focus is lost, then the entire project goes haywire, and the end-product is something that nobody could have thought of during the initial stages.

Below is an example of one such project. The board displayed in the picture is meant to inform the travelers about a bridge ahead. This information appears at the very bottom of the board. Looks like the focus was somewhere else.

Quotes worth citing #3

Love is one of the most wonderful creation of God. It makes us happy at times & sad at other times, depending upon the situation. Love involves sacrifice too. A lover can give his life for the sake of his love. Without giving, love cannot exist.

This is the essence of the following quote that I found last week:

"You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving."

How to handle a person who complains continously

Many of us would have come across people who keep complaining about everything in this world. It is a very dificult situation for us as we may not agree with them but still we have to listen to all they have to tell us. How do we get out of such a situation?

I found the answer on the link given below. It says that the best way is to empathise with them. That is what they are looking for. Your empathy will give them a lot of self-satisfaction & assurance. For details, follow the following link.

How to handle chronic complainers

An Amazing Ad

Marketing a product requires an optimum mix of 4 Ps: product, price, promotion, & place. Most important definitely is the product. And the other three are equally important if you need to market the product well.

Look at the image below.

Can you tell what the following ad is for? This ad is for a special promo from the local bus transport service. The traveler can go around the entire city by paying only Rs. 2 ($0.05) with some conditions attached. Right?

In fact, this is an ad for a local daily in Bangalore, India. Think about the placement of this ad. Do you find it misleading………?

Why secret salaries are a bad idea

In most of the organizations the salary of the employees is kept a secret. This is done so that the management can avoid justifying the salary difference to the "lesser-paid" employees when compared to the "well-paid" employees. Many of accept it as a norm.

I happen to come to the following article, and it makes us aware as to what benefits a company can harvest if the salaries of the employees are made public. The followong are the highlights.

Making salaries public (inside the company of course) has some major advantages:

1. Salaries will become more fair. The system gets a chance to adjust itself.
2. It will be easier to retain the best employees because they’re more likely to feel they’re getting a fair salary.
3. The pressure is on the people with the high salaries to earn their keep. Everybody has to pull their weight - the higher the salary, the larger the weight.

Visit the link below to read the entire article.


Why secret salaries are a baaaaaad idea

Launch of Suggestica

It is said that books are the best friend of a man. They are one of the best source of guidance to all aspects of life. Today heralds the day for the launch of a website that has a very good collection of books written by various experts on many subjects. Please visit Suggestica (Beta version) and browse through the huge collection & enjoy...