What would life be without us being misunderstood? The very existence of imperfect people, uncertain situations and differing degrees of understanding makes life what it is — thoroughly unpredictable. Indeed, misunderstandings can lead to myriad divides, frictions, fissures and even lifelong chasms in relationships that were once healthy and vibrant. But thankfully, most misunderstandings are quite inane at worst.
Take the case of the earliest bird to ever arrive at a press meet. I had once sent out invitations to senior mediapersons who were to interact with a top official of Chandigarh’s administration. The very senior dignitary had recently arrived from New Delhi, you see. He had ensconced himself in the saddle and was going steady, when I informed him that the media had to be invited as a courtesy for a cup of coffee with him.
He was not too keen on the conference; most civil servants aren’t. But it was my job to make sure that he was on the right side of the media, and invitations were sent out for the following Saturday. Imagine my surprise, therefore, when a hardened journo burst into my office, huffing and puffing, exactly 24 hours before the designated hour! He was all set, armed with a dozen of the most uncomfortable of questions. Never had I seen the said worthy blush so much, when informed of his blunder.
His only defence was that we would usually send out such invitations just a day before. We had many a chuckle over a cup of the strongest coffee. He was actually quite amiable the following day too, when it was finally showtime. Very recently, I was the one who goofed up. I erroneously inferred that I had been invited to the Kolkata centre of a large public sector undertaking, to deliver what might euphemistically be referred to as ‘a motivational speech’!
{{/usCountry}}His only defence was that we would usually send out such invitations just a day before. We had many a chuckle over a cup of the strongest coffee. He was actually quite amiable the following day too, when it was finally showtime. Very recently, I was the one who goofed up. I erroneously inferred that I had been invited to the Kolkata centre of a large public sector undertaking, to deliver what might euphemistically be referred to as ‘a motivational speech’!
{{/usCountry}}I requested the lady officer who was coordinating to fly me directly to Kolkata from Mumbai, where I was to be the previous day. She became quite silent for a while, and then broke the news to me, gently. I was to speak at their Panchkula office, a five-minute drive from my home. She couldn’t see me blushing, since we were on a call, but I had turned quite pink!
At times, mistaken identities queer the pitch. People are introduced incorrectly or inadequately, leading to several faux pas.
Hearing infirmities, too, result in several hilarious miscommunications and they remind one of the childhood game, Chinese Whispers. Thus, wrong cabs, wrong queues, wrong parcels and wrong tickets are only some instances of the mix-ups with which we have to deal in our lives.
At times, one reaches the venue of a party, or shaadi, only to realise that one has arrived at dinner time, instead of for lunch, which would have been the accurate thing to do. Nothing less than a fine dining experience would do, thereafter, especially since most such goof-ups are my fault, and also since we’re already decked up!
Often times, we have arrived at the right hotel, but have walked into a hall, bustling with entirely unfamiliar-looking people. A quick look at the invitation tells us that we should have scaled the 24th floor instead of hurtling towards the ground floor banquet hall.
Lack of understanding between two individuals can lead to run-outs and even fall-outs. Partners in a new venture who begin with full gusto and camaraderie, often end up at loggerheads. At a more drastic level, college romances might end up in combustible circumstances if another student receives a missive, instead of the intended recipient. Love letters (are they still around?) if addressed simply to a ‘darling’ or a ‘kuchu-puchu’, might end up causing mistaken impressions, if they land up in the wrong hands, to say the least. These days, text messages or even voice messages might end up being sent to the wrong person, God forbid!
Highly uncomfortable ramifications may result. Best not to send out anything in a sleepy state of mind! Mistaken inferences can certainly be laughing matters. However, whilst they’re fresh, they may cause many a disaster. But without them, life’s entertainment quotient would wane very rapidly.
vivek.atray@gmail.com