Hard to believe!

At times it's hard to believe many things I continue to come across in everyday life. From travel experiences to small talks in parks, supermall even lift. Many things make me smile, wonder a few surprise me and others are outright cultural shocks. Sharing few interesting ones here written in good faith. I trust you will excuse me if you find it otherwise.

Pets are treated like kids with the utmost care but not the real kids of the family. They leave home as soon as they manage to be on their own. Initially, this was a bit of a surprise, now am used to it, after all, pets are faithful to their masters, excluding cats. Once I had to apologize to the owner and the dog (you can’t call it that, He has a name), as he (read dog) was scared because of my screaming. I fear pets especially dogs barking at me. I was schooled on how I should learn to control my fear by visiting a pet center. Hard to believe!

Old age, you are not old enough if you hit 60 or above, that’s the new mid-life but you are old enough, at one to make your choice of clothes, food and mobile games. Hard to believe! No wonder they say digital kids are smart these days. Once, I bumped into an old- man, nearing his 85th birthday running in the park and was better off than me for sure. When we chatted, he said life is too short, so better enjoy it. He even showed interest in visiting India someday, very hopeful of him. Contrary, years back, on one of my boat experiences, I was sitting behind a young lad, celebrating is his 21st birthday. We all cheered and wished him well. Later I was informed he had only a few months left to his life. His wish was to take this trip before the curtains were down, I was aghast. Although both these incidents happened years apart, they had a common thread, live life every day.

Few incidents left to be surprised, once someone told me if I ever manage to attend a wedding in western Europe, that’s pricey as other parts of the world, I might have to pay for my food. As everyone chips in to help the newlyweds, again hard to believe. I wondered why would I even attend it if that’s the case? How many guests in Indian weddings agree to do that, hard to tell. Once I informed an associate that we have house help back home and was surprised by the reaction. If you can afford a helper, it means you are rich in a western country. Back home, people have many helpers at times for various tasks none valued.

Once in the lift, I bumped into a female for the first time after exchanging greetings got to know that we share the same floor. I was stunned to learn that we share the same floor, but she rarely uses the lift. She prefers stairs to decent ten floors every day. And that day was an exception owing to an injury. Hard to believe again. It is an exception for me to go down 150 stairs only when all the lifts are out of order.

In yet another park walk, I bumped into an elderly, graceful lady enjoying her morning walks. She was curious to know how I managed my work in the pandemic sitting for hours in front of the computer. And how blessed I was to have a job that pays to get food on the table. She missed her work life and was remorseful as to why she retired at 70. It was hard for me to digest, as just after a decade of work am dreaming of retirement life. But she cautioned me that it's not so exciting as it seems a person should be active as long one has confidence, desire to learn and is physically able.

A few weeks back, on one of my trips, the tour guide was curious to know how we Indians managed to navigate in heavy traffic with vehicles coming from random directions. He had visited India multiple times and was surprised with our confidence to drive without fearing accidents. I politely replied it is an inborn talent, even school kids know how to navigate traffic. I was stumped when he further probed, then why are Indians so scared to get vaccinated? This time it was hard to answer!