I was in Mangalore over the weekend for a pooja. The ladies of the house got together in the kitchen to cook food. Since we had to prepare food for a lot of people, few servant ladies also joined us. I asked my mom what should I do. One of the servant ladies was cutting raw jack-fruit. Raw jack-fruit curry is a Mangalore delicacy. Chopping the jack-fruit is a tough task which needs strength and skill. This particular lady sneered and asked me to cut the jack-fruit. I smiled and said that if I had the expertise to cut the jack-fruit then I would be a master chef by now. I then took up chopping carrots and potatoes.
I think that lady was irked that I acknowledged my shortcoming and moved on. She started saying "It's alright if you don't know much of cooking. You just have to plunge into it. My daughter was studying in the seventh standard when I discontinued her studies and put her into cooking. She did not know a thing. But I did not relent and now she easily cooks for 8-10 people." The lady clearly thought cooking for 10 people was far more important than basic education. Although I wanted to tell her otherwise, I did not want to hurt her. I just nodded and smiled. My silence boosted her confidence and she went on "These city bred kids don't know anything. They work in offices all day long and enjoy its comforts. They don't know how hard life is. If they are left in the village even for a day, they will run for their life."
This I couldn't take. I had had enough. I replied "Cooking is not such a difficult thing. My sister learnt cooking in 2 months and now she hosts a party with 3 course meals for 12-15 people at her place all by herself. Can your daughter learn engineering in 2 months? You have to cook food and your job is done. Where as we have customers across the world and have to take calls even after work hours. You only have to care about the amount of salt and chilli in your dish. We have to work in the office and take care of the household chores as well. I don't think you get to deal with so much stress." This shut her up.
Honestly, I did not want to flare up at her like that. I understand that she has always been in an environment where life skills have proven to be more useful than education. However, that doesn't mean that she can belittle someone else. Few years back, things were tough for villagers who moved into the city. They were mocked and ridiculed. These days the city folks are more than welcoming. It is natural for people to take time to get used to new surroundings be it a villager in a city or the other way. Nobody is born with super skills, it all depends on how well a person adapts himself. Hope to see a day when people are recognized by their nature and talent rather than be subject to prejudices.
I think that lady was irked that I acknowledged my shortcoming and moved on. She started saying "It's alright if you don't know much of cooking. You just have to plunge into it. My daughter was studying in the seventh standard when I discontinued her studies and put her into cooking. She did not know a thing. But I did not relent and now she easily cooks for 8-10 people." The lady clearly thought cooking for 10 people was far more important than basic education. Although I wanted to tell her otherwise, I did not want to hurt her. I just nodded and smiled. My silence boosted her confidence and she went on "These city bred kids don't know anything. They work in offices all day long and enjoy its comforts. They don't know how hard life is. If they are left in the village even for a day, they will run for their life."
This I couldn't take. I had had enough. I replied "Cooking is not such a difficult thing. My sister learnt cooking in 2 months and now she hosts a party with 3 course meals for 12-15 people at her place all by herself. Can your daughter learn engineering in 2 months? You have to cook food and your job is done. Where as we have customers across the world and have to take calls even after work hours. You only have to care about the amount of salt and chilli in your dish. We have to work in the office and take care of the household chores as well. I don't think you get to deal with so much stress." This shut her up.
Honestly, I did not want to flare up at her like that. I understand that she has always been in an environment where life skills have proven to be more useful than education. However, that doesn't mean that she can belittle someone else. Few years back, things were tough for villagers who moved into the city. They were mocked and ridiculed. These days the city folks are more than welcoming. It is natural for people to take time to get used to new surroundings be it a villager in a city or the other way. Nobody is born with super skills, it all depends on how well a person adapts himself. Hope to see a day when people are recognized by their nature and talent rather than be subject to prejudices.
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