Just came back from London. Cool climate bustling streets very much like Mumbai or any other metro. Its not been my first time and neither my first foreign city. But something struck me about London this time. At any point of day or night u can find someone running on the road -- not necessarily the fitness freak sort of people - old people, young people, middle aged couples ---all sorts. Yeah yeah the climate is right its cool --- actually cold for a Mumbaite (12deg is time for 2 sweaters) --- but this is not about the fitness levels, this is not about running this is about "PERSONAL TIME".
I think we Indians (and even south east asians) are tuned to disrespect personal time. In one of my dealings i came to know irrespective of how good a job is people would eventually quit job if it entailed more than hour of travel time either direction -- Sounds ridiculous to a Mumbaite --- one hr is Heaven --- 2 hrs is average. Fussy Goras we would say. And this is exactly what i mean by dis-respect for Personal Time. We spend so much time travelling that by the time we reach home we have no energy for anything leave alone running -- No wonder we have more couples with no kids ;-)
But is this true or are we just hard working? Is it because we sacrifice a good life today when we can run around, do things by staying close to place of work for larger good--- the good of saving money so that one day we have enough to join that dance class but no time and a slip disc? Is it not right or will we repent it at the end of it all ? Do we even have time to think this? And when we will have the time what would we think? IS it because we work hard and this constant energy that we Indian crabs are not hit by recession? Is not being in recession better than enjoying the evenings in a dance class or going for the long run to see the sun set? Is there an answer to all this -- nope if i knew then perhaps i would be god.... Just some musings on a Saturday evening before i hit the road for a scotch and prepare myself for a long week with no long runs.... all ye have a great weekend
I think we Indians (and even south east asians) are tuned to disrespect personal time. In one of my dealings i came to know irrespective of how good a job is people would eventually quit job if it entailed more than hour of travel time either direction -- Sounds ridiculous to a Mumbaite --- one hr is Heaven --- 2 hrs is average. Fussy Goras we would say. And this is exactly what i mean by dis-respect for Personal Time. We spend so much time travelling that by the time we reach home we have no energy for anything leave alone running -- No wonder we have more couples with no kids ;-)
But is this true or are we just hard working? Is it because we sacrifice a good life today when we can run around, do things by staying close to place of work for larger good--- the good of saving money so that one day we have enough to join that dance class but no time and a slip disc? Is it not right or will we repent it at the end of it all ? Do we even have time to think this? And when we will have the time what would we think? IS it because we work hard and this constant energy that we Indian crabs are not hit by recession? Is not being in recession better than enjoying the evenings in a dance class or going for the long run to see the sun set? Is there an answer to all this -- nope if i knew then perhaps i would be god.... Just some musings on a Saturday evening before i hit the road for a scotch and prepare myself for a long week with no long runs.... all ye have a great weekend
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