Even before the advent of currency and the term 'Inequality of income', inequality existed. Inequality existed not only in income but attitude as well. The only thing constant is the change in Attitude and its impact on widening the inequality gap.
We’ve learnt about the lessons of inequality of income which is required but deterrent if the gap increases. The economic concentration of income, however, isn’t that deterrent when compared to the inequality in attitude.
We say a lot about our sleazy system which is not able to take remedial measures to reduce the widening gap of income which leads to disharmony, crime and acts as a hindrance to the economic growth. But do we actually do our bit as responsible citizens and considerate human beings?
Let me just explain the thesis with some situations we come across in our daily lives.
How many times have you purchased bottled water or any other eatable from any eating joint/restaurant/movie theatre at a price higher than the MRP (max retail price inclusive of taxes)?
Leave aside this, how many times have you ever cared to check the MRP? According to the rules, no item can be sold at a price higher than the MRP. But due to great ambience and your ATTITUDE (when in nice places), we don’t care.
We’re ready to pay a premium of a considerable sum when we board pre-paid taxi’s or any other Airport transfer but we fight we taxi/rickshaw walas when they ask for a premium when we want to make it a prefix amount and argue a lot.
How many times did you ask a coolie on a railway station to charge less?
How many times did you consider Rs 10 enough on a bill of Rs. 700-1000? But now with NICE restaurant charging a service charge of 7-10% (apart from usual VAT/service tax), we’re fine with it.
How many times did you bargain with the hawker on the road saying ‘ah..it’s too much’ but don’t hesitate a wee bit when it comes to a shopper’s stop/archies or any other NICE shop to spend a premium when you know it isn’t worth that much?
Some of the cited examples may not be right (legal), however, if we think from the other perspective we may find it rationale enough.
A rickshaw wala makes Rs 200-300 on a daily basis after struggling under the scorch heat and some beating from the local police. So it sums to 6000 if they work all 30 days. They don’t get paid as us on weekends.
A waiter gets Rs. 2000-3000 in these decent restaurants after working for 12 hrs with 1-2 leaves a month.
A coolie lifts tons of cumulative weight over a day and earns a little. You may find a Rs 100 very high but the low frequency of trains and the money they have to give to so called thekedars is very high.
A hawker in train or road does not earn more than Rs. 100 after a sales stint of 12-14 hrs.
It is not that we’re not ready to spend the money as stated earlier. We do overpay in places where we shouldn’t despite the fact there is already enough money going in. But we are just like our lazy and sleazy government when it comes to making some contribution towards reducing the inequality or if it’s an overdose, may be making it a happy day for people with low income levels.
So next time when you are requested/demanded for a premium in a not so hi-fi space please don’t hesitate. You will make a day for some one in need.
Cheers!
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