Speak up

This post is dedicated to the silent sufferers of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, eve-teasing, gender discrimination and\or child abuse.

Recently, I went to the market where I was browsing for a t-shirt at a roadside stall. The vendor was a 20-ish boy and I am way older than he is. As is our custom, I kept addressing him respectfully with my share of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. He was however constantly referring to me in a patronizing tone. I hated the way he continuously showed me the wrong colors and patterns and completely ignored what I was asking for. What nailed it however was when I had finally paid for the stuff and was walking away. I ignored taking the polythene and was heading towards our car when suddenly he shouted in his atrocious manner ‘Panni to le lo ki sare market me dikhati huyee le jaogi’. That is it, I thought. It was just a t-shirt…a perfectly legitimate item. Not an undergarment or sanitary napkin; which I need to carry in a black poly packs much to my chagrin. I mean what is there to hide in garments we wear on daily basis or something which I need to use every month.

Not to mention, the havoc poly-pack pollution is causing for the environment. Honestly! If each one of us commits using one less poly pack per day that will help us more than all the awareness campaigns for global warming. 

Also I hated the way he completely ignored politeness, manners and etiquettes when he referred to me like that. I simply couldn’t take it any more.

I walked up to him, raised myself to my full height and said, “Bhai Sahab, pahle to aap tamiz se baat kijiye. Itni der se mai ‘Aap Aap’ kar ke bol rahi hu aur aap mujhe tu keh rahe hai. Dusri baat ye hai ki polythene ka istemal kam karna chahiye. Jab maine khud nahi manga to apko kya padi hai.”

That nailed it!! His expression changed from surprise to shock to embarrassment in less than 10 seconds. Sheepishly, he apologized to me and politely handed me the poly pack. It was hard to suppress the huge sigh of relief at finally taking a stand. Even harder was the attempt to hide that grin which came on my face. He was completely in awe when I walked back with my head held high.

Guys, it was a very small incident. But it mattered to me because I matter to me. How I am being treated matters to me. I have a right to be treated with equality if not respect. That is why I chose to speak up.

‘Being polite does not mean you have to be a coward and shouting does not make you right’ rightly nailed by Sonal Kalra in her write-up. Thank you Sonal!