I was travelling in the
local back home, at the end of the day, a very important day in my life. I had
got my dream job that day, when I was least expecting it. A guy with average
looks, but some above average intelligence, working in a good suburban hotel in
Mumbai, made it to the international chain of hotels.
I got that job without approaching
for it, without giving an interview, without any effort. Well, not actually
without effort. Of course it was result of some efforts. Some small things you
do every other day, but those which mattered.
I was thinking about a
conversation I had with my Dad a couple of years ago. It was another important
day in my life. It was my first day at job in the hotel I was working till
today. I woke up with excitement, got ready quickly, and finished my breakfast
with very big bites. My mother yelled at me to slow down. After breakfast I took
her blessings, and went to my father. I touched his feet to take his blessings.
“Why aren’t you shaved? This
is your first day at your job. Do you realize that?” asked my dad disapproving
my rough look.
“It doesn’t matter dad. Nobody
in my batch shaves every day. It is common now.” I answered.
“It matters. And you will
shave before leaving for office.” He ordered.
“No dad, not today. I am
getting late, one minute more and I will miss my local.” I resisted.
“I will drop you to office. But
you have to shave.” He insisted.
And I complied, but showing
every sign of frustration. He was noticing it. I got ready again. I was little
angry with him for killing my excitement on my first working day. We got into
the car, he started driving.
“I never told how I met your
mother, did I?”
“No. But why do you have to
tell me now?” I was curious about his story, but still not in mood to hear it.
“Because you need to understand
something.” With that he took a long pause.
“Yours was an arranged
marriage right?”
“Yes. We met through a
family friend of ours, and relative of your mom.”
“Like most of the arranged
marriages in India.” I thought.
Father’s Story
“Gokhle uncle was an old
friend of your grandpa. He had come to Mumbai for some meeting. He was staying
at your mom’s place. After his meeting he came to our place to meet papa.”
“I had just started working
then. I came back home as usual, and saw him in our hall talking to papa. Papa
introduced me to him. I touched his feet in respect, and went inside. Papa was
proudly talking about my achievements in college and my first job in a reputed
bank. He looked impressed.”
“I went to my room, changed
my clothes, and wore casual ones. I came back to dining hall; they were ready
and waiting for me. They were discussing something, but stopped at once when I entered
the room, and were smiling at me.”
“We had dinner together. Papa
asked me to drop Gokhle Uncle to where he was staying. When I took the car
keys, papa asked me to change into something decent. I reluctantly did so and
left with uncle.”
“When we reached there,
uncle asked me to come inside. He wanted to introduce me to the family. I couldn’t
think of any reason for that. But I didn’t want to disobey my papa’s old
friend. I went inside. Few guests were already in the hall.”
“From what it seemed like,
the guests had come to see Gokhle uncle’s niece, means your mom. I looked at
the boy and the girl. The boy seemed to be rich, wearing a nice suit and gold
chain. The girl was damn beautiful. I liked her. But I was standing there when
she was seeing other boy, considering him for marriage.”
“I was feeling awkward there.
Gokhle uncle took me to guest room for some time, till the other guests left. Then
we came into the hall. Uncle introduced me to everyone, even to your mom. They
asked me some general questions, I told them about myself, had some
conversation and left.”
“Few days later, I was
surprised to know that Uncle had taken me there with a purpose. He was
impressed with me, and wished I married his niece. It further shocked me that
the girl had also said yes to me. I had liked her no doubt, so I was bound to
say yes. But I was wondering how she preferred me over that rich guy.”
“After our marriage, I asked
your mom this question on our honeymoon.”
She said, “Yes, that guy was
pretty rich. He came wearing that suit, and gold chain which was easily
available for him. But he had not shaved. It seemed to me that he didn’t care
much about the fact that he was going to see a girl. Whereas you clearly didn’t
know that why you came to our place, but still you were clean shaven, properly
dressed. I thought you were a disciplined guy. So I picked you. But why are you
asking this?”
“I am not complaining, dear.
I was just curious.” I answered and changed the topic. And so his story ended.
Back to present
“Are you trying to tell me
she said yes, just because you were clean shaved and dressed?”
“Well in our time son, you
had to judge with such small things only. We didn’t have the privilege of
meeting a girl alone to talk, like you guys have these days.” Dad taunted.
“Not again with that
generation gap thing dad.”
“No, that’s not point today.
It’s just that you should be presentable always. You never know when a girl or
an opportunity will enter your life. You should be prepared. We are not men
with looks to die for. We are normal people. To be dressed properly, to shave
regularly is our way to look our best. That’s my point. Wear your best look.”
“Ok. I get it dad.” I said though
I didn’t get it that day.
I got it today. From that
day onwards, though I didn’t like it, I started shaving regularly, and being
well dressed. Eventually it became a habit. I worked hard, rose through the
ranks in my hotel. I made good contacts with our suppliers, clients. I was good
at talking. My boss relied on me to deal with them. I was thinking since past
few days, that it’s time to move on if I want to grow further.
And then this day, the
senior manager of GTC International came to meet me at my hotel. He said he
wanted discuss some important matter and took me out for lunch. Throughout the
main course, he discussed about many general things. I was waiting for him to
come to the point. And then while having desserts he offered me my dream job. I
was stunned.
“Don’t be so surprised.” He
said, and continued. “You deserve it. You are good at dealing with people. I have
been observing you and few other candidates since last few days. You are always
presentable, you make a good impression. That’s what we want for our Vendor
Relationship Manager. Not like boys of your generation who don’t care about how
they look. I hope you accept our offer.”
“Of course I will. Thanks a
lot for this offer.” Was all I could say!
The small thing dad taught
me really paid off. I couldn’t thank him enough for this. Yes these things
matter. Not all of us are model material, but we can groom ourselves. We can
wear our best look. Will you? #WillYouShave?
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