Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti

Ye daulat bhii le lo, 

Ye shoharat bhi le lo 

Bhale cheen lo mujhse merii javaanii 

Magar mujhko lauta do bachapan ka saavan 

Vo kaagaz ki kashti, vo baarish kaa paani....

~Jagjit Singh

The best subject for observation and interpretation is people. And the best place to observe people -umm - railway station, an airport, a bookstore, people who are awesome at this: a waiter at the coffee shop and of course our very own- a local Raju chai boy.

You meet people from different walks of life- few similar to you, a few completely opposite in the way that you wouldn't mind being like them and some so extreme that you definitely don't want to be like them. In these two years that I have been away from home, I have closely interacted with people 24X7 - all kinds of people. while i was at home, my interactions were limited to going to school/college, meeting people for a few hours and then getting back home, at the end there was always home, always that secure place with people with the same values and similar behavior patterns. My first time away from home and my first job have taught me awesome loads about people. So here goes:

There are people you take a liking to instantly , like they dont need to say/do anything, they are just likable people. More often than not they turn out to be people you like for the person they are and others characteristics. But sometimes, just sometimes things go drastically wrong, equations change and your liking turns to something else. But mostly it's safe to assume that these kinds turn out to be exactly the way you perceived them at first sight.

There are people who are very very vocal about their feelings and their likes and dislikes (I being one of them) If someone has done something unwarranted to me or any of my close friends. I will take offense and form an opinion about that person. But there are others who believe in the "they have not done anything to me, so I'll be nice to them". Makes sense In fact i say, that's the way to live in this world. As long as the other person is completely cool with you, how the hell do you care what they have done to others around you. Loads of people successfully follow this policy, I am yet to learn the tricks of the trade.

There are others who are two-faced. So these kinds are one way with the a person and doa complete turn around when the person in out of earshot. Now here - there are instances. either you are forced to do that, because your job demands it (you cant be rude to your boss on his face right!?). Those are the OK kinds. The not OK ones are those who are two faced in real life! Like they are purposely fake to everyone they meet and have one or two close friends, whom (i hope) they are genuine with! I feel bad for such poeple, what are you trying to prove and to whom? Infact they should be in a particular kind of profession that makes use of this unique skill of theirs.

Of course there are people who will do absolutely anything to go up the corporate ladder. The sad part is most of these people do not even really want to do what they are doing in their life - like really - who wants to help build accounts for the rest of your life! Like really! But they will fight for it like there's no tomorrow. These are the dangerous kinds - if you cross their paths, they can harm you. Stay away and watch, these are interesting characters to observe, they go back on their word, change colors as easily as they change their laptop wallpapers. Today they will like tea, tomorrow they will be coffee addicts.

Then there are people who are genuine to the core of their being and will do anything and go any lengths to make you happy and make sure you are comfortable without any personal favor involved. When you look at them, you try to find a reason behind their behaviour and its not long before you find out that they are people who are genuine. truly.

There are people who love to be in groups and will feel lost if they are left alone, and will be uncomfortable.and not themselves at all. And some love groups, but their definition of groups change every 5 months. They will be best friends with a set of people and then the next month they will have a new set of confidantes. And there are others who are a part of every group. They are here and they are there. They are 'good friends' with everyone.

Then there are of course people who couldn't care less- they have a friend or two for life and the rest are people they meet in different places in life, they come and they go - have fun today, keep in touch when gone, attend their weddings and basically chill. These are the perfect kinds.

It is unfortunate that this post has more of the bad things about people than the good. More than the bad - its how different people are from what I thought would be the norm. I can not be friends with everyone. I can not be normal to a person I do not like. I can not be fake and pretend to like situations I dont. I can not to get a promotion be good to people I dislike and talk behind their backs. There are people I will not even look at and won't ever talk to because of certain reason. Diplomacy and normalcy in abnormal situations is definitely my cup of tea. I am glad I got a chance to step out and experience people for what they are. Its awesomely interesting and teaches you way more than you could ever learn living at home.

Signing off, a disappointed and sad me.