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On Fairness [not The Fair & Lovely Variety]

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by sln, Dec 9, 2019.

  1. sln

    sln Platinum IL'ite

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    On Fairness[not the fair &lovely variety]

    Sixty years back when I was walking near VGP in Mount road,a haggard looking fellow in his mid forties approached me and said that he was a sea man , had lost every thing in pick pocket and needed money to have food and go back to the harbour.He offered a sheaffer pen and wanted Rs.25.It was around 8 pm.I examined the shining pen,scribbled to check the nib.My mind immediately thought of striking a hard bargain taking advantage of his helpless situation.I offered him Rs Ten and stuck to my offer inspite of pleading by the sea farer for a better price.Finally pen and money exchanged hands.Clutching the most expensive pen[I thing it was around Rs two hundred those days and costs around 1600 RS now] I rushed home and showed it to my younger brother a veteran Madrasi.He asked me whether I bought it in Mount road-followed it up with whether the person who sold this was a sea farer.Sheepishly I said yes. Look at the name of the brand embossed on the pen-he ordered with a pitiful look.To my horror I found the name as Shaffar.My brother said that it was manufactured at Sowcarpet,costs Rs. Four and that the man can easily identify gullible people, with a twinkle in his eye. I deserved this disgrace,as I had taken advantage of a seemingly helpless situation.

    Many of us some time or other do not let go of an opportunity to be unfair,if it involves monetary gain,official and social status or to put down someone. It requires great strength of character to be fair in all our dealings.It is therefore heartening to see many instances where fairness is displayed without second thought.

    A house owner rented his house for two years with three months notice on either side.Due to some exigencies the tenant gave three months notice after one year but vacated the house in one month. Balance two months rent was deducted from the deposit as per terms.After a week the tenant was surprised when the house owner refunded the balance two months rent stating that a new tenant had been finalised and it was unfair to collect rent from two people for the same period.It was fairness on display.

    Vani and Lavanya,two girls working in the same organisation and good friends were trying for a transfer to Chennai from Bangalore.There was intense completion among them when a vacancy was announced in Chennai. However when each ones case was discussed,one Lavanya withdrew her request for transfer even though her husband was in Chennai.The reason was that Vani' s mother was battling Cancer and her brother was not giving adequate care.Vani went with folded hands to Lavanya who opted out, to thank her and felt sorry that she wont be able to join her husband. Lavanya replied”I can take up another job in Chennai where he lives or he can get a job in Bangalore whereas your mother will not survive without attention."I don’t know whether you will call this act as fair,decent,considerate or kindness but no doubt that this is a finer aspect of human nature. This brings backs to memory of what I was taught in college 65 years back, the statement of Sir Philip Sidney who when wounded called for water but gave it a fellow soldier saying “Thy necessity is yet greater than mine”

    Mohan tells his mother “ will and give away the house to sister as I am earning well and she has commitments”

    Husband after retirement shares the household duties.While the wife set the table,the husband cleared the table.When wife was sick the husband took over including feeding the wife.What would you call this.Fairness, decency,kindness or doing his duty?

    There is an interesting example of ensuring fairness.Mother bought a cake and her two children were fighting for a bigger portion.To get over the problem her friend suggested”give the option of making portions to one boy and the option of choosing the portion to the other boy”

    Fair means,Fair share of the property,got due and fair credit for the team performance,fair compensation,fair treatment, fair charges for services rendered etc are utterances of satisfied and grateful individuals resulting in good and reciprocal relationship.Live and let live,aim for a win win situation are all statements made to encourage fairness. Being unfair, gives one temporary gain while being fair results in everlasting inner peace..

    Mahatma Gandhi said” Ëarth provides enough to satisfy every mans need but not everymans greed”.
    PS-Being 83, facing multiple challenges on the health front.Having been hospitalised four times in six months,this snippet is an attempt to pretend that every thing is normal.
     
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  2. stayblessed

    stayblessed Platinum IL'ite

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    That was a very nice snippet sir. Fairness is a rare thing these days. I loved the idea of sharing between the two children. Perhaps I can follow it with my kids. Take care of your health sir. Apart from fairness my take away is your positivity that even with poor health you have given a good snippet. Prayers for your speedy recovery.
     
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  3. joylokhi

    joylokhi Platinum IL'ite

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    Shri SLN,
    nice to see a post from you after quite some time and immediately got down to read it. Very well said. I think being 'fair' does good both ways - for the giver and the taker and I try to be fair to the extent possible in all my dealings. However, what is fair to one may not appear the same to all , we can try to be true to our conscience and that itself brings a feeling of peace!
    Sorry to hear you are facing health issues and wish to see more of u here , so that your mind is also away from your problems. Take care.
     
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  4. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Good one. Thought-provoking examples. It reminded me of the equality vs equity meme:

    eq.PNG

    Unrelated: An interesting article on the origin and becoming common of this meme.
     
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  5. Amulet

    Amulet IL Hall of Fame

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    Good story about the Sheaffer Pen. It had stayed with the OP for sixty+ years. I am sure he didn't buy too many Sheaffers from unauthorized dealers in later life.

    Having been burnt once could make one suspect all future propositions and temptations.
     
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  6. sln

    sln Platinum IL'ite

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    I like the idea of inculcating the principle and practice of fairness among children.All the best.SLN
     
  7. sln

    sln Platinum IL'ite

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    When we witness somebody being unfair,it leaves a bitter taste in our mouth.Unable to correct the person,we fret and fume and share it with the family members.SLN
     
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  8. sln

    sln Platinum IL'ite

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    The example of equity is self explanatory and can be a catalyst to be considerate.SLN
     
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  9. sln

    sln Platinum IL'ite

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    Once bitten,twice shy.My children dont understand my fetish for branded items from good shops.Shaffar pen pops up before my eyes when shopping decisions are taken. Tenali Raman example is apt and is eloquent in its message.SLN
     
  10. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

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    Dear SLN Sir,

    It is such a pleasure to read your snippet after a long time. Get well soon Sir. Interacting here is a great way to break the mental occupation on the poor health. I read something interesting a few years back.

    A mechanic after watching a woman trying to make a phone call after her broke down on the highway, volunteered to fix her car. After the car was set right, she offered hefty fees for his services which he politely declined stating that helping the stranded ones on the road is his duty as a mechanic.

    Later, the woman stopped in the local restaurant to eat and noticed this young woman working so hard to serve so many guests in the restaurant with a smile. She decided to tip the money she planned to give the mechanic to her.

    Later this young woman returned home and told his mechanic dad that she was tipped heavily today and with her regular waiter tips, salary and this heavy tip from one woman, she could pay the college tuition fee herself without any help from her dad.

    What goes around comes around.
     
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