How much do you make, Son? On 9th June 2019!
Family get together.
Sagar: Namaste Aunty. (Greets his aunt)
Aunty: God bless you my son, seeing you after a long time. Where are you working my son?
Sagar: In ABC Inc. aunty.
Aunty: Very good, what’s the in hand monthly salary by the way?
Sagar (A little shocked)- It’s decent aunty, I survive with respect.
Aunty (anxious): Tell me the numbers my son, why so shy?
Sagar (reluctantly in a low tone): It’s around 50K aunty.
Aunty (trying to be shocked): Ohh! How do you manage all expenses in this salary? It would be so tough! These companies are just using people and paying peanuts, why don’t you try and change the company?
Sagar feels a little embarrassed, doesn’t reply.
Another aunty arrives hearing the conversation.
Aunty 2: You are in lower middle class band son. You should try and increase your income, this is not enough. (As if all he needed was to move a magic wand)
Her husband looking like the most serious and concerned guy in town arrives with cold drink in his hand.
Uncle: Try and invest more, spend less on holidays and fun, (As if investing has 100% guarantee). You own a car son?
Sagar: Yes uncle, I bought the new… (uncle interrupts)
Uncle: You shouldn’t have a car at this income. (Live miserably so that I can celebrate)
Next uncle and aunty’s sin (sorry son) arrives.
Cousin: Try and avoid kids bro once you get married.(Next he would say avoid sex, even condoms are expensive, don’t take bath, just wipe with a towel etc)
As the excitement level increases and the one sided conversation heats up, another family of relatives with a relatively humble financial background watching from some distance get in action.
Cousin 2 (humble background): They pay you so good, please get me a job in your company. (As if he is the owner of the company)
Sagar: Bro mail your resume to the HR, they will call you if they are satisfied. Notes the mail Id.
Cousin 2’s mother: No my son, only you can get this task done, we will be very grateful, he is your brother my son, I am sure you can do it, now everything is in your hands. (Later they will say that Sagar intentionally didn’t get their son selected)
Sagar (feels the pressure): Aunty I will try my best.
Another oversmart, psuedo intellectual, self acclaimed wise uncle arrives.
Uncle (over smart): You said 50K, but I heard that your company pays only 47K.
Sagar (embarrassed): Yes, that’s why I said around 50K.
Uncle (sarcastically): You rounded of 36K per annum my son. (Such people are found everywhere on Quora as well)
Finally Sagar almost ran away from the party in stress and anxiety, without even having the food.
Sagar was a satisfied guy in general and proud of his achievements, but that incident left a long lasting impression on him.
People don’t want to mention their earnings because everyone is ready to judge, comment, advice, envy, request or taunt them once a figure is quoted.
So please mind your own business/job/home/unemployement/free time/luxurious life/malified intentions/inquisitiveness and don’t enquire what people earn.
And if someone asks you your income, don’t fight, don’t succumb, just give them a blank look and move away. They deserve nothing better.
These people make me sweat profusely!
