An act of generosity or foolishness

Being kind / generous is good but other shouldn't take our act for granted and make mockery of it. Hers’s an incident I would like to share with you.

Last week me and my wife decided to use bus to go for shopping. We walked down to the bus stop and boarded a bus to our destination. My wife and me were lucky to get a place to sit immediately after boarding the bus. Usually it doesn't happen, one has to stand for quite sometime before he/she could get a place to sit. In some cases you get chance to sit a stop before your’s and its quite frustrating.

I saw couple of people standing around me. A  guy from next stop came and stood close to my seat. This is an indication for others that he will occupy the seat if anyone vacates the place, so hunt any other seat. Mine was the last stop so no worries. I was feeling pity for the boy but he can occupy the other seat next to me in case  he gets down before the last stop.

After 2 stops the person sitting next to me got down and the guy standing close my seat occupied the vacant place. This guy had just settled himself, when another guy came to this guy and said “ I am not feeling well, I want to sit down”. The guy sitting next to me got up and gave his seat to this guy, who was not well as per his statement. I didn’t feel he was not well by looking at him.

Post occupying the seat, this guy put his head on his bag to showcase he is not well. 2 mins after this he got an sms, he raised his head and was fine. Back to normal with no issues, sms chat, calling friends. From his conversation it appeared to me as if he was going for some party with friends. 5 mins before a person who was not able to stand was now talking to his friends as if nothing has happened. 

Once he had done with his call, he started talking to me and was enquiring about an address, which I helped him. Felt like asking him that “ aren't you ill now?”. Other guy who had offered his seat to this liar, had got a place to sit. I saw that guy. 

After this incident I don’t think I can ever trust a person who comes up to me asking to help because don’t know whether it is genuine or not. Had I been at the other guy’s place who had offered his seat, would have gone back and asked him to vacate the seat as he is not ill. I am sure he would't have vacated the place then told him not to tell such fake stories to innocent people as it may hurt their sentiment and they will never help anyone in future even in genuine cases.

A rare gesture not to be found these days

Can anyone say no to money in today’s competitive world? Nobody would do so but there are few people who do it and open path for others to follow as well. Something similar to it happened to me last me and I was influenced to write about it. A gesture rare to be found these days.

My office bag’s zip has some problem, despite my best attempt I was not able to lock it. It began on Monday, since I carry laptop was bit scared as the zip of that particular pouch had problem. The weather here is such that, it rains in evening most of the time. It rains at the time when people are about to leave office after a hectic day at work. I had no option but to carry the bag in that position till weekend and get the zip replaced or switch to a new bag. 

I have one more bag at home but not was comfortable with it so preferred to use the same bag and tried to escape rain as much as possible. Friday post office I took it to a bag repair shop close to my house to get the old zip replaced with new one.  I entered the small shop and asked him to replace the zip. He took the bag from me and fixed the problem in 5 mins with the help a plier. Then he handed the bag back to me and said it is fine now. 

I asked him the cost for fixing the problem to which he said, not required . I insisted again but he said no.  Without much option I left the shop but was wondering, how much such people can I find in today’s world who actually charges people for genuine reasons? Had I taken my bag to any other shop, shopkeeper would have told me, replace the zip, without even checking, if it can used further and charged royally. 

I was thinking what made him say ”NO” to his charge, his shop was not that big even that he could forego the charges. Because he has put his effort, even though little, work is work.  It reminded of an incident which happened to be me in a super speciality hospital. 

My wife was admitted to a hospital following severe stomach pain and post diagnosis doctors told , she need to be operated upon for the situation at the earliest.  I was out of town then, called up my relatives and told them not to proceed with the surgery till I reach. Once I reached hospital, I said no to surgery and took her back home after settling the bills. 

Post that I consulted one more doctor an expert, and he asked us “Who told you for surgery? Just drink water and have proper food, you will be fine. I was shocked. Had I gone with the words of the doctor then I would have duped myself of my money for a cause which was not required at all and the health of my wife as well.

People who are passionate about their work and have confidence on themselves will never dupe people, rather guide them in the right manner. People who are not confident about themselves always think about duping people and make money.

I salute the gesture of people who are honest to their profession and follows ethics in life.