I recently went out to purchase some bananas; I don’t usually go out to do grocery so I didn’t really have any idea about the prices of fruits. I approached the fruit seller, who was standing along his fruit cart, I asked about the price, bought some bananas and gave him Rs20/- extra. The old man gazed me with astonishment as he had asked for Rs60 and I gave him Rs80. I turned and walked away. I wondered why the man was so surprised!

Upon returning home, unable to seek the answer for my question, I entered the living room. My grandmother asked me for how much I had bought the fruits. I replied that I bought them for Rs60 instead of saying I spent Rs80, as she lets me keep the change, and her reaction was overwhelming, “Rs60! You should’ve bargained it and get them for Rs50 instead!” she exclaimed.

Later that day, as I reflected on that event and the element of surprise on that old fruit seller’s face, the more I had started to understand the reason for his reaction when I observed by grandmother’s reply. The shopkeepers are so accustomed to dealing with customer’s bargaining that they are surprised when they receive something extra.

The other day, I saw a man fighting over Rs10 extra for a face mask, that was being sold for Rs30, instead of Rs20, outside a supermarket. Not only that, he also disrespected the poor guy. These same people who fight for Rs10 with poor fruit sellers and shopkeepers are the ones who walk back to their shiny cars after saving Rs10 and drive to luxurious hotels and give hundreds and even thousands of rupees as tip. That’s what makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Why can’t we sympathise with the poor? Why do we drive away the children selling balloons or flowers near the traffic signals even though we could help them by buying the things they are selling — a kind gesture of encouragement. It is the responsibility of well-off people to share their wealth but we only care about our status, reputation and respect amongst the wealthy. We choose to spend money on luxuries, brands and other commodities but we refuse to help the people who are under paid or un-employed. This doesn’t mean that luxuries must not be used but my point here is if you are wealthy enough to afford luxuries then you are eligible to help the poor too. If you are financially stable, avoid bargain from small shopkeepers, fruit sellers and people selling different stuff at the traffic signals.

What’s stopping us from being generous? You won’t blame yourself if you lose a Rs100 note but you hesitate to give that Rs100 note to someone needy. This means you prefer your money gets lost but not to help someone to buy food or clothing. We must change this mindset. If you are wearing designer’s clothes and travel around in your personal vehicle then it’s your duty to help the poor financially and avoid unnecessary bargaining because those Rs10 doesn’t mean anything to you but for that poor seller, it’s his livelihood and his daily bread.

On a positive note, please soften your hearts for the poor and needy ones and treat them respectfully. Be helpful and spread positivity, no matter how reputable and wealthy you are. If there is darkness in your soul, it would reflect from your actions.

It is rightly said, “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors not his equals” — Sirius Black (From Harry Potter)

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 18th, 2021