Similar yet Different

Life makes us come across people from various sects of the the social order. Majority of them form the people in the places where we grow, places we live, places we learn and places where we work. My workplace is such a place where I come across an eclectic mix of all the classes of people.

Right from the security guard,security incharge, office boys, house cleaning staff people from various departments, my colleagues, my bosses form a strong network of people around me for 9 hours of the day. Other than work, I enjoy observing the typical personality traits of all people around me.

With the accustomed and cheerful good morning wishes of the security guard to customary smiles of the house cleaning staff, to the ‘professional’ approach of fellow counterparts to the friendly yet demanding natures of the seniors, I take pleasure in being a quiet spectator to them.

But there are two distinctly different faction of people that ‘attracts’ me to observe. From the curious and anxious eyes of the villagers and farmers to the sparkle in the corporates, my office space sees it all. Amongst all the people who visit our office, my eyes stabilizes mostly on two interesting cases of habituals - The farmers/ villagers who are regulars to my office and the consultants/ clients who frequent our premises. Ours being a real estate development company, it deals with the land issues of the farmers and villagers, thus directing them to come over to our organization for negotiations. It is always amusing to ‘read’ these village dwellers from their body language and nature of their talks. It is an excellent example to be a eyewitness to the people from all walks of life walking in and out of the ‘office space’.

Really brilliant is to ‘listen unknowingly’ to the issues of the farmers and the villagers who wait for their turn to meet the concerned official. The anxiety of getting a good deal for their lands, reaping in huge returns or meager dividends are the thoughts running in their minds which are evident in their naïve eyes. A good deal that can help them fulfill their dreams, can get them money to get a better lifestyle, to sacrifice the piece of land they have taken care of as a baby of their own. Somewhere I can see a sense of emotional attachment to the soil they have grown up, but also knowing that this forgo can make their lives even better.

On the contrary, I distantly come across these adamant negotiators who stand firmly refusing to part with their land thus posing threat to the holistic development of the city.

Interesting to see is the attire of ‘these traditional sons of soils’ as I call them which adds grace to their personality. It is lovely to see that they are proud of their traditional elements of dressing like the turbans, nav-vari saris (time-honored marathi sari) and the extravagant yet simplistic jewellery.

On the other hand are the consultants and the clients who carry with them the confidence, exuberance and the gait which is noticeable. Most of them have a ‘unique style of their own- just like the other one’. But one can not miss them certainly especially in the crowd when their dressing and fashionable accessories. Moreover their loud smells will make u catch the attention of your nose buds. Such piercing is the smell of their deodorants and perfumes that you can ‘smell’ them from a distance – I think of this as a wake up call,perhaps! With the restricted and calculated body moves, they form the ‘professional’ segment of the society.

Nevertheless, my place of work proves to be an excellent platform to observe, ‘study’ and analyze fascinating assortment of the human species which are ‘similar yet different’.