Recently I had gone house hunting and the kind of person whom I bumped into has made me write this. I was so desperate of finding a new place that I decided to try out my friend's idea of walk into the apartment and enquire with the watch man or the care taker whether flats were available for rent. I walked into this newly constructed building and after enquiry at the gate, I was directed to the office of the 'site in charge'.
I introduced myself to the pleasant looking young man who was sitting behind the table and explained my requirements. Having listened to me very patiently he made a random search for the keys and suggested that I meet the site supervisor, since the keys might be with him. After waiting for about 10 mins, I was introduced to a very arrogant middle aged man.
Before I could open my mouth, he started questioning me in a fashion which reminded me of the police interrogation sessions in movies.
"Family?"
"No...3 ladies."
"Fine...but no gents are allowed in." He ordered as I wondered whether I was going to be a tenant in an apartment I rented out for or some college hostel.
"Ok..it will be just the three.." He wouldn't let me complete
"Everyone says so in the beginning, but they start bringing in 'boy friends' once they shift in."
I couldn't still make out what some one did in their very private space affect him.
I couldn't get a glimpse of the apartment even though I went through the whole do's and dont's list. Apart from recollecting this in a humorous perspective, an instance which my friend narrated to me later did justify his reactions to some extend. 'A man was found in a 'compromising position' in an apartment in where the occupants were few non keralite girls working for an IT giant. What followed resembled nothing less than a masala movie. Arguments and counter arguments between the residents and the 'guy', cops were called in and finally some how the issue was hushed up.
As we discussed this issue in our circle, I could hear different opinions and even different 'versions' to the same story. Many got into discussions about 'morality' and supposed cultural degradation. But I had a different observation to the whole occurrence. I really couldn't understand on what basis could some one interfere into another person's private space. I really couldn't digest the integrity of the neighbors who were so keen on finding out what was actually going on.
When will we learn to respect some one else's personal life. But the provocation could be, to put in my friends own words "nammal kanji kudikkumbol appurathu irikkunnavan biryani kazhikkunnathu sahikkumo". Translating it for my non-keralite friends, "how would you feel when you are having porridge while the other person has a five course meal."
I guess its high time that we react. The more you succumb, the more the people will push you.
