Ridentem Dicere Verum Quid Vetat. Review on Mouthshut

Well, I suppose with my new found temporary freedom from work(I am on a vacation), I do get some time to write here again. A few people who have kept in touch with me, have realized that I have this habit of vanishing from MS for extended periods and then coming for a single day spam session. Well, here it goes again.

Earlier today, I came across the articles of one of the Star Writers at M.S. and in this process read a review she wrote about Mallika Sherawat and what followed was a deluge of comments both pro and con about her review. Now this sets me to think about a very basic question of, why the freedom of thought is never given it's due respect. Why is it that people have such strong opinions that they find it hard to digest a difference of opinion. I cannot recollect right away, but I do remember one person, who wrote a review about a bike and till date, I find it hard to understand if the review was about the bike itself or if it was meant to be a slap at someone.

After reading the review afore mentioned, I read a few more reviews by the same author and yes, she has an open minded writing style. At this point, I see reason in saying that, it was not bold, arrogant or I don't give a damn writing, it was simple open minded writing. The words used are the same, as any person would use if he / she were speaking to a close friend in informal settings. The only difference, she has done so in a public forum, which ideally should not make a difference.  A common perception of taboo in public speaking can arise due to two reasons. One out of respect of person(s) present or simple tradional "You should not be speaking like this" factors.

Here is an example, in my office I share office space with my team of 12, where we have three women, two of them married and in the Indian sense of the workd "settled". The work atmosphere we all share is very light and casual and at many times, on of us will definitely thow a chair and follow it up with some excellent vocabulary, just because something did'nt work out right, on whatever it is, we are working on. This is an natural reaction to all of us and for a long time, people in work spaces close to our, found us boisterous and ill mannered and over some time, every one realized that the two women in the team take no offence to our words. The reason here is simple, they realize that it is a natural reponse most of use have. Yes, it is not a good habit to resort to profanity anywhere, but at work it simply happens and we never realized it. Does this mean, my two colleagues and now friends, are the "they are okay with anything" breed? I don't think so. They are fine women who know how to carry themselves and more importantly, they realize that we just yell for the sake of it.

Beating all around the bush and the surroundig areas, I guess I am trying to say, why is it an issue or a problem in our country, if a woman speaks her mind out? Why is it that way? We are a country born in tradition and culture and I take pride in the fact that we are so rich in our beliefs and up bringing. But why does it always start smelling rotten eggs, when a woman speaks her mind? I am just curious. what makes it different???

A friend of mine and I have this weird habit of inventing words when swearing at each other and then trying to pass it off as Latin. Very recently one of our collaborator teams, had a lady who actually spoke Latin and she taught us a few words and sentences. I also stumbled across this website with funny latin quotes and so, every morning we greet each other with something like Meliora Cogito(I Strive For The Best) or Corripe Cervisiam(Seize the beer) and one morning she just yelled across the lobby "Estne volumen in toga, an solum tibi libet me videre?"(which rather translates to: Is that a scroll in your toga, or are you just happy to see me?) The people around us never figured what it meant . . .(Nor did I, till she showed me the website and the phrase) But then it simply shows that open minded humor is not sleaze and a lady who speaks like a man, is not a blotch on this planet . . . . . . .

Like someone said, we Indians are very athletic and we kee physically fit. Well, how cannot we, if we are constantly jumping to conclusions, throwing aroud theories, skipping the truth, rowing in circles and never touching the bank. I am not sure if I feel disappointed, that despite all the growth, many people tend to think and live inside a box or if I should be disgusted over the fact, that we are so blindly self opinionated that we fail to understanding a different peron's view point???? Which ever, I never expected tabloid level slur at M.S. and I guess I just saw it.

M.S. is a great place and that is why, I make it a point to come back here and read and write when ever I am on a vacation. I am hoping, that this place will still stay the same and will still retain it's charm, like it always did, in the future also. I just hate to see a good site go down, because some moron got up on the wrong side of the bed . . . .

Cheers to all M.S.ians . . . . I am sure everyone appreciates the right to free thought and am hoping the few will join the many at M.S. and not be unidirectional in their thought process . . . . .