Bangalore autowallahs! Everybody has an opinion about them (mostly unflattering). We all have a favorite auto-wallah story. I know of someone who was pushed to buy his own vehicle in a jiffy because he had come to blows with the autowallahs during his daily commute.10 extra, 20 extra is passe'. One and a half or double is routine. Dark and rains are conducive for cooking up a random figure which is guaranteed to make one swoon. If you dare to utter 'meter se', you are looked down upon with such disdain that you run the risk of losing all your self-worth. Tampered meters, (ill-) tempered autowallahs......the travails are endless.
I hardly take autos - maybe a couple of times in a year. But the last time I took one, I was in for a pleasant surprise. We had to go to Cantt. from Bellandur. After we had declined 2-3 autowallahs for their unreasonable demands, one autowallah offered meter plus 10. We accepted. On the way, as the meter galloped, I wondered aloud if the meter was right. The driver then told me that he was a student who goes to college by day and drives an auto in free time to earn an honest living. He took us to the destination in just 170 Rs. (plus 10).On the return trip, I enquired the fare at pre-paid auto stand. It was 220! This instance was an exception rather than a rule.
Generally speaking, the only time when I find autowallahs angelic is when I am driving. They give the best directions as they are living encyclopedias of city roads. It's easy to ask them for directions because autos have no rolled up windows and unlike 2 wheeler drivers, they don't have to fiddle with helmets to hear what I have to say. They are never rude. On the contrary, they are eager to help and many a time have kindly guided me to the right road with a cheerful 'banni' (come) by driving ahead. They even oblige by walking to the car to hear me better. So, as soon as I am stuck for directions, I start looking for an auto. For their navigation services, I am eternally grateful to the autowallahs of Bangalore.
It's sort of ironic. When I seek their service as a customer, they drive me nuts. But when I have a non-economic transaction with them, they humour me. It kind of reaffirms one's faith in humanity!
PS: This article was published in 'Right in the Middle" in Deccan Herald.
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