Just Friends!

Why do we always feel the need to add some tag or title to our relationships? Why not just let things be the way they are? We as a society feel a desperate urge to categorize people, based on what they eat, what they wear or with whom they are seen.

When I watched When Harry Met Sally for the first time, one of the dialogues used in the film stayed with me, "Men and women can never be friends." A similar statement was quoted in Maine Pyar Kiya and many subsequent movies. Is it really true? Of course there are friendships which may go on to become more than just platonic relationships but it's really not fair to say that it happens all the time. I do have many good guy friends and I am really emotionally attached to them. I can spend hours talking to them or roaming with them and I do love them but not in a romantic way. Then, why is it that society is bent on putting a label on it?

Why is it that if a girl and a guy spend some time alone and talk to each other, we always come to the conclusion that they are interested in each other? If we see just the two of them anywhere, why do we always think they are a couple? Why can't you understand that maybe it's because they are just comfortable enough to talk about anything under the sun. Again, I am not saying this is the case all the time but please do not pass judgement/ gossip before actually knowing the truth.

Is it really so hard to understand that you could be friends with the opposite sex with no hidden intentions whatsoever. There's no need to analyse each and everything. If a girl smiles and talks to you she's attracted to you or if a guy does the same, he's hitting on you! Really, is that how matured you are? Isn't it enough that people around you are analyzing each and every move you make that you also put an added burden on something which could turn out to be a great friendship. Enjoy the company and have a good time!

I am not very sure about you guys out there, but for me friendship is too important to lose over something so trivial and unpredictable as to what "might" happen in the future.

Dikhta nahi hai kya!

Who says Indians are not united? After traveling to almost 6 different cities within a span of three weeks, this is one thing that I'm very sure is not true. Wherever there is anything remotely connected to rules, we have an itch for breaking that. After all what are rules made for, if not for breaking!!

Traffic signals are meant to be jumped, seat belts are supposed to be kept behind the seat and helmets....don't get me started on them. Of course they are supposed to be worn on your hands or even better kept on your bike handle!!!! Which idiot came up with the idea that it should be worn on head! If you have a bike, you are supposed to check the speeds to which it can go and do all the possible stunts on a crowded road. So what if triple riding is illegal? We'll go one step ahead and ride with four of our friends with none of us wearing our helmets. Let us see what Bollywood action directors have to say about that!

If you are driving a truck or bus, you obviously own the road and you have the right to keep honking till the other person makes way for you even if he has to park on the side for that. If you are driving a car, you are of course above bikers and cyclists as per Indian Road Hierarchy and you have the right to take your own sweet time to take decision and give indicator at the last moment and if the other motorists did not see that, well it's their own fault.

Then we come to the auto drivers...the true followers of worldwide action heroes! They can make snakes blush by their talent to zigzag out of any kind of traffic. They have the ability to look left and drive to the right. If you ever feel like going to an amusement park for a thrilling ride, don't go and waste your money there. Just go for a ride in one of these autos, they will literally give you a "out of the world" experience. But the "best" experience I had was when our cab driver opened his door while driving at approximately 50 km/hr and turned outside to spit without once giving any indication!

However, the best things are always saved for the last! And none of the above can beat the kings of our roads, the pedestrians. They can stop in the middle of the road and turn to call out a friend who is walking on the other side of the road without any fear of the vehicles. Well, if the drivers don't want to get beaten up by public or arrested by police they will move themselves. There is no concept of zebra crossing, in fact there is no such thing in the world. Why waste your time waiting for the signal to go red? Just show your hand and move ahead or even better just jump out of thin air and make a dash for it. And if a motorist dares to come in your path just shout at him "dikhta nahi hai kya". They have amazing gymnastic  and athletic talent, jumping over road dividers, running through a busy thoroughfare among many other hidden ones.

It's a real irony that rules have to be enforced and fines have to be paid by people for not following them when they are meant for their own safety.