eternoMind
Herald
To be frank, there is unnecessary name calling going on here. It is also evident a few peeps have misunderstood Lord Nemesis' point and those who supported/liked it.
No, the guy definitely did not deserve what happened to him. But there is no arguing about the fact that he showed poor judgment and lack of common sense in asking out a woman (let's forget the part that she was married) unknown and completely new to him in the manner he did. You have the to gauge the environment/society around you lest you end up in trouble like that poor chap. If you expect the same yardstick or tolerance to be displayed everywhere on earth, you are probably living in utopia. An innocent expression of interest like in the above case could also be taken as a compliment in some societies or politely refused as well. Although this is the right way to go about declining such an interest, the truth is unfortunately different. For example, how many stories have we heard about Indians in other countries being singled out for their specific habits like talking loudly, being aloof and the likes. There is also the story of those countries not taking very well to people who do not speak the country's native language. Is this ideal and the right way for things to go about? Of course not. But I'd rather be practical and sensible than being utopian and complaining about people's mindset. And please don't stretch this approach of people like me to other gaping problems that our society is facing at the moment.
Also, the word culture police is thrown around popularly here without properly understanding the intent of the posts. I remember my sister telling about two separate incidents when complete strangers traveling in the same auto tried to start up a conversation with her and decently expressing interest to meet further. My sister politely declined, i didn't find it a big deal and neither did my mom. But am i justified in expecting the same kind of behavior/consideration/maturity from every woman i find interesting and worth pursuing? Hell no, that is just downright childish and stupid.
Indians are also well-known sufferers of the 'herd mentality'. The current atmosphere is such that even the slightest provocation (or polite expression of interest) could be taken in the wrong way. This also reminds me of an incident that occurred in our society a few days back. One of the oldest occupants (mid 50's chap) of our building asked a rather new tenant's wife for her phone number saying he needed it for some society's work purpose. The woman's husband is out on traveling duties most of the times and she went up in arms against this behavior. The husband came back, got the man to beg for an apology and after receiving one, went and filed a police complaint. The police came to pick the guy up and he responded by calling up a few of his big-shot friends. But later that day, a meeting was held in the society regarding this and the same woman charged the man with forcibly grabbing her hand. Yet another woman supported her saying the same happened to her two years back. He was forced to give in writing that what he did was a mistake and it won't be repeated (considering that he didn't even touch the woman). All the society oldies stayed aloof saying that they cannot speak for the guy since the facts were unknown. But the current environment is such that even a well-meaning intent (not speaking about my society guy), could be taken in the wrong way.
In short, the said incident is a fine example of the repercussions of the lack of common sense, especially when behaving in a society as diverse and chaotic as ours !
No, the guy definitely did not deserve what happened to him. But there is no arguing about the fact that he showed poor judgment and lack of common sense in asking out a woman (let's forget the part that she was married) unknown and completely new to him in the manner he did. You have the to gauge the environment/society around you lest you end up in trouble like that poor chap. If you expect the same yardstick or tolerance to be displayed everywhere on earth, you are probably living in utopia. An innocent expression of interest like in the above case could also be taken as a compliment in some societies or politely refused as well. Although this is the right way to go about declining such an interest, the truth is unfortunately different. For example, how many stories have we heard about Indians in other countries being singled out for their specific habits like talking loudly, being aloof and the likes. There is also the story of those countries not taking very well to people who do not speak the country's native language. Is this ideal and the right way for things to go about? Of course not. But I'd rather be practical and sensible than being utopian and complaining about people's mindset. And please don't stretch this approach of people like me to other gaping problems that our society is facing at the moment.
Also, the word culture police is thrown around popularly here without properly understanding the intent of the posts. I remember my sister telling about two separate incidents when complete strangers traveling in the same auto tried to start up a conversation with her and decently expressing interest to meet further. My sister politely declined, i didn't find it a big deal and neither did my mom. But am i justified in expecting the same kind of behavior/consideration/maturity from every woman i find interesting and worth pursuing? Hell no, that is just downright childish and stupid.
Indians are also well-known sufferers of the 'herd mentality'. The current atmosphere is such that even the slightest provocation (or polite expression of interest) could be taken in the wrong way. This also reminds me of an incident that occurred in our society a few days back. One of the oldest occupants (mid 50's chap) of our building asked a rather new tenant's wife for her phone number saying he needed it for some society's work purpose. The woman's husband is out on traveling duties most of the times and she went up in arms against this behavior. The husband came back, got the man to beg for an apology and after receiving one, went and filed a police complaint. The police came to pick the guy up and he responded by calling up a few of his big-shot friends. But later that day, a meeting was held in the society regarding this and the same woman charged the man with forcibly grabbing her hand. Yet another woman supported her saying the same happened to her two years back. He was forced to give in writing that what he did was a mistake and it won't be repeated (considering that he didn't even touch the woman). All the society oldies stayed aloof saying that they cannot speak for the guy since the facts were unknown. But the current environment is such that even a well-meaning intent (not speaking about my society guy), could be taken in the wrong way.
In short, the said incident is a fine example of the repercussions of the lack of common sense, especially when behaving in a society as diverse and chaotic as ours !
