It seems so much easier to talk to strangers than close ones these days. 

Why?

Probably because we get to spend very little time with them rather than those who we meet for short intervals in our place and time of work.  All those who matter are not close when we wish to talk about things that matter and all those who really don’t matter are with us at all times that really don’t matter.

So, when we do want that outlet of communication, we let it out at anyone who shows little interest in our affairs.

So, here it was an evidence of my inference, a social peculiarity, of talking heart to heart to strangers who you met 14 years ago in a stray public function or something like that.

The man began with his daily routine.  Then he narrated the well being of his siblings.

Then he came to the disclosure that all had separated.  Elaborating why and how they had done so.  He spoke about his feelings regarding the family separation and his vehement opposition for the same.  But he shrugged, “it is their entire wish” so I did it!

After that episode of division, quickly he opened his office drawers and showed the laminated news clip of his son receiving an award for some commendable feat.  Swiftly he turned the lamination to show the other side of his life- his son’s life – with his photo and his college mark sheet. Beaming with pride at the success of his son!

After that he extorted the much needed applause for his son and also for his foresighted ingenuity in getting a double lamination done, to preserve the praiseworthy news.  After that he continued with the errand I was there for, but superimposed it with the verbose information on alliances and proposals for his marriageable daughter only after he had described how meritorious her academics had been and how she was now working for a highly reputed professional in the city and her successful stints of work in the nearby place of pride- Pune.  Without a moments interval he showed me her photograph and her passing certificate.  A nod of kudos was enough to boost him to show me the photos and list of boys in line for her.

“Oh but this boy was good, only that I am smarter, I found out so much about him, from so many sources I have, that I could avert the danger I was into, by accepting this proposal “ he eulogized. “The boy was not of a good character, even though he is well placed, I don’t mind a little less money for my daughter but …. No no!” he justified.

Now the Xeroxes I was waiting for had arrived.  A signature and my work was done.

I was ready to leave. In a span of 25 minutes he had given me a loquacious version of his life in the last 25 years!

To a stranger who knew barely his name!

Had nothing to do with all that he was telling me about, and yet I was listening while he was unloading his pent up thoughts to me.  Mutual convenience, peculiar traits of social interaction in a highly mechanized world, I concluded.

No matter how much we adapt and get adept to revolutionize communication technology we still depend on human ears, eyes and touch for our ultimate interaction I was convinced.

This incident was a revelation enough!!!