is a fragile thing. I may be naive, but I actually think the people who work for me should tell me the truth consistently. And I am fair – I give days off without question, I pay the market rate or more if they are really good and I am not anal about dust. My home is a comfortable mess – and sometimes I don’t pick it up. Which is why I tell people to call before they come.
I think a driver should be someone of absolute integrity – for obvious reasons. Ours takes many days off claiming illnesses in the family. It is inconvenient and expensive because I have to make the school run every day and I don’t drive. But we put up with it – I mean if someone is sick, one needs to be helpful, right?
Well, imagine my surprise, when my driver who was on leave today, since he had to take his wife to the doctor, turned up in my society to go work for someone else for the day! Makes me wonder if all the other times were lies too? And if the days when he was late – because of traffic jams he said – were actually days when he was running errands for someone else?
I am sure he will come up with glib explanations. But trust – once broken cannot be patched up again. And I am offended as well because I don’t like to be played for a fool. Plus I do not like to think that every time I speak to him, I will have to keep sifting for lies. Ugh – makes me feel slimy…
I found my last driver in Mumbai through a blog post – a kind blogger went out of her way to help me find one. I know lots of people from Bangalore read this blog so please if you know a decent driver or can put me in touch with someone who does, I would be vastly grateful.
Meanwhile it is the weekend. Ah – I so need it! Have a good one folks!
you should drive.
pour-quoi pas?
Yes, I should. But I don’t…
i was a nonstarter turned starter… so if i can so can you.
give it a shot
My innate cynicism makes me believe that yes, most of his sad tales were fake. I don’t trust easily. There is, also, the unfortunate belief among servants/drivers etc that anyone who treats them decently is a sucker. I know folks who can elicit loyalty from people who work for them, and others who cannot, no matter what. And I have some ideas on what puts people in one group or the other, but there are so many variables. All of this pointless comment to say if you get taken advantage of by drivers, learn to drive. Just do it.
Yeah, goodness is easily exploited, I agree. Sending you a mail.
Not nice at all:(
Tocuh wood, I have a good driver here in Kolkata, ever since we moved here. But I have had many strange drivers over the last 17-18 years, I did lean to drive some 16 years ago, but didn’t keep up with it. You, though, are young- just for it, Nitya. It will transform your life.
Will definitely give it a shot sometime, Dips. Glad you have a good driver!
My mom’s ditched her to go work for the neighbor for a Rs 1000 more a month. This, after she helped him through his wife’s complicated pregnancy by way of paying doctor’s bills and hospital bills etc. Drivers, as a group, are plain faithless.
The way of the world seems to be to take good people for a ride. And that is a very sad reflection of the state of the world we live in. Better to adapt, as I am slowly learning!
Hmm. As a matter of fact, happen to know 2 no.s drivers who are looking for work. Not sure how good they are though since we have never hired them. (Sorry, have to put in this discliamer
)
Let me know if I should put you in touch.
Will do. Thanks!