Here goes the circus!

By Afreeha Jawad

Just in case you've missed out on the emerging novelty of Sri Lankan generosity, interesting indeed is the bus travellers' concern yet not overwhelmingly of fellow travellers. I'm sure you at one time or another may have experienced how - in case you happened to be standing while onboard - your bag, however small that may be is recipient to a kind offering where the one near whom you are standing following a kind glance indicates his willingness to carry it.

Now, now, now don't rush to conclusions for that generosity extends only as far as the bag goes. If you think the benefactor will have some concern for your aching feet... certainly you are sadly mistaken. Perhaps even asking for too much. So settling for less is far better instead of anticipating more than what you, shall we say deserve at least in the benefactor's eyes.

With all that kind of 'vulgar generosity' you may have also observed how having boarded the bus, not one would alter his position one inch to make room for your deposit. You, even though with difficulty what with a leap frogging bus following wrong application of clutch and gear will have to force yourself near the window having brushed past hard as rock knees. So be quick. Watch out for your neighbour disembarking in case some one else experiences what you have gone through by way of hard knees and seemingly apologetic looks.

Believe it or not the old adage of courtesy demands needs reversal as has happened in all of life's aspects into courtesy does not pay. A friend of mine had this nasty reply flung at her when she on disembarking requested another to give way, 'Karunakarala Aiyin Wenna' "could you kindly move." Pat came the answer "Karuna karanna Siri Paadey Yanda" karuna meaning to render compassion - "well for compassion you'll have to go to Adam's Peak." Incidentally this mountain is where the Sri Lankan Sinhala pilgrim sends out a clarion call for compassion from God Saman - the peak's guardian deity.

Observing men

This apart, interesting indeed is observing many men that observe women head to toe. Withholding their interest on these modern females seemingly a near impossibility what with those anatomy highlighting apparel that these women have access to that has denied the earlier generation.

There's also a novel tactic to be adopted just in case you feel the pinch in rising bus fares. All you've got to do is to look out of the window and the conductor is 'messaged.' You are sure to be left unhindered while a side long glance will tell you how envious your neighbour has been over your free on board (FOB) ride.

Men are noted for this tactical operation while not very many women are into it. Should gender decide self respect then this is it!!

Then there is the conductor who conveniently overlooks the change he owes you. You call for it. He will simply keep smiling and look out of the window as though something interesting has caught his attention. You shout loud. He is sure to come and fling the coins on your lap with one big stare what with half the coins on the floor.

Should the stare be mutual, a sure reply would be 'Ithin Mama Monava Karannada . Allaganna Dena Ganna Ona.' (What could I do. You should have known better to hold the coins."

Comedy

Part of all this extended comedy are the numerous beggars that cringe before you. They each have a story to tell. One will cry over a kidney ailment, another his broken arm and some other will resort to sign language pretending to be dumb. Each of these stories are expected to invite sorrow not to forget we as a nation are good story tellers. To be noted is the emerging modus operandi begging. Well clad guys get on board at some point, carefully avoid eye contact and focusing on the bus roof - there he goes about his sick child unable to pass urine and the doctor who said the surgery cost to be ten lakhs.

You see, every aspect of Sri Lankan life is a circus - transport being no exception. Who said finding clowns is difficult. Clowns may come and clowns may go yet the circus goes on for ever. For well nigh fifty years or so 'circussing' has been our main play.

With hardly anything taken serious note of and vulgar jokes at hand whats worse if scholarship comes to a standstill. One can be happy if there is anything in Sri Lanka to be looked forward to. Call it pessimistic if you like. Yet, that's the stark truth.

A record reversal sounds so very remote that one guy though in lighter vain yet pregnant in meaning recently exclaimed, "May rata hadanna aten pahala un okkom maranna ona." (To develop this country all below 8 should be killed)

With what remorse he said it is best left imagined.

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