Skip to main content

An e-mail forwarded to us

One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he
asked about his bill and the barber replies, 'I cannot accept money
from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was
pleased and left the shop.. When the barber goes to open his shop the
next morning there is a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for
him at his door.



Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his
bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm
doing community service this week..' The cop is happy and leaves the
shop. The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a
'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door..



Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when
he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept
money from you. I'm doing community service this week..' The professor
is very happy and leaves the shop.

The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank
you' card and a dozen different books, such as 'How to Improve Your
Business', and 'Becoming More Successful.'



Then, a Member of Parliament comes in for a haircut, and when he goes
to pay his bill the barber again replies, 'I cannot accept money from
you. I'm doing community service this week.' The Member of Parliament
is very happy and leaves the shop.





The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen
Members of Parliament lined up waiting for a free haircut..



And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between
the citizens of our country and the Members of Parliament.
Labels:

Comments

Kartz said…
... And if tht barber were to refuse attending to one of them henceforth, God help him.

Thanks for the share...

Peace.
April 19, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Netika Lumb said…
Oh.. I must say- Intelligent.. No, not of the politicians but the one who wrote this...

@ Karthik,
You bet!
April 19, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Richa said…
exactly..

wrt Kartz' comment, even if the community service week was gonna be over officially, MPs had to be served..
April 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Kunjal said…
reflects that the politicians are away from basic human qualities:)
nice one:)
April 19, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Surendra said…
literally speechless after reading this....Hope it is read bysome of the Member Of Parliaments....AN EYEOPENER...
April 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Post a Comment

Also read

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...
1 comment
Read more

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...
40 comments
Read more

Why Your Strategy Sucks by Sandeep Das — A blunt review

Why your Strategy Sucks — A review that might make you rethink how you choose Strategy isn’t a boardroom ritual — it’s the muscle we use every time we pick a job, buy a home, or take a leap. In Why Your Strategy Sucks Sandeep Das offers frameworks, anecdotes and a practical stern-but-kind coach’s voice. I verify the facts, call out what’s useful, and ask the awkward questions you should be asking about your own life plans. What is this book about? If you must reduce it to one sentence: it’s a practical manual for turning fuzzy thinking about “strategy” into clear choices you can actually act on. Das’s premise is simple and generous: strategy isn’t just for CEOs or consultancies. It’s a method — a six-step, human-centred approach — that helps people prioritise, create options, and implement decisions in work and life. The publisher describes it as bridging strategist frameworks and personal career choices; the book itself works at that junction. A few things the publisher...
Post a Comment
Read more