Friday 8 March 2013

The Women's Day Compliment (?)

Which book defines what a woman should do?
Since I had to pick up my FIL from railway station,  I was wiping the dust off my car yesterday early morning, while morning walkers, people on their way to work were looking at me with some amusement. Why they were giving me those looks became clear to me when 3-4 middle aged sturdy looking women out on their morning walk passed by. One of them could not contain herself and commented in a strong Haryanvi accent "Ajj kal to laddakkiyan bhi gaddi pochhne laggi hain" ( Nowadays girls have started cleaning vehicles too.)
 
They stopped in a semi circle around me, smiling and nodding, to watch me dusting. An easy smile appeared on my face as I told the obvious answer "Jab chalati main hoon to saaf kaun karega? (Who else will clean, If I drive it) "
 
"Right, right." They nodded and walked away.
 
Though their statement lingered on. Whole day the thought bugged my mind. Was it a comment or a compliment? Why are some jobs so typecast? A woman driver is no longer an alien, but why does it look odd to people when she cleans the vehicle herself? Or is it a problem if I believe in self-dependence?
 
After arguing it in my mind, I took it as a compliment and smiled through the day.
 
 
 

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