Affluent Indians but …

Yesterday, some of my ex-colleagues and I organized a small reunion kind of session at CP, New Delhi. It was all merry until we landed up at McDonalds Janpath Marg.

 

As soon as we took the seat, a large family sat just adjacent to our seat. There were 6 adults, 2 teenagers and 4 children. Among the adults one was maid, and both the teenagers also seemed to be maids (going by their dress). I had this thought; this family must be quite affluent that they could afford 3 maids. I also thought like this is good for these poor girls at least they are getting some kind of employment.

 

But lo! here comes the shock of life. All the maids were made to sit over a separate table. And when these affluent guys ordered food, they didn’t order anything for these maids. Could you expect such kind of treatment for these girls? I can forgive this family if there were only the adult maid but the teenagers…. Huh! The way the teenagers were looking at the food being served at the other table made me comment ‘This is India’. I thought like buying something for these 3 maids. However, I skipped the idea as I thought that it would invite trouble.

 

Now don’t tell these teenagers did something wrong if tomorrow you find in newspapers that servants killed entire family and ransacked the house. The problem is with the affluent class but not with the deprived. Once you take a humane approach toward your servants you can expect them to take a humane approach towards you. Better understand this soon else you might be the next target. And don’t complain that you never knew…