One of the reasons I quit my job was because of the feeling that I was getting institutionalised at the workplace. One look at the rows and rows of seats in that office could lead to the question " So where do I as a person fit in here ? ". There was something disconcertingly impersonal about the place and it was unnerving to be identified just by the company I worked for. It certainly was the last straw when I took out my office ID card while entering "The Forum" mall. I did not want to end up like the old man in "The Shawshank Redemption" who, after having been in prison for the majority of his life , hangs himself on his release. Only because he has always been told what to do ( and what not to ) , he cannot handle his new found freedom.
Now, back home in Chennai, I m repeatedly asked " What do you do ? " . The question might as well be framed as " Which institution/company do you belong to or work for ? " . Even getting a new moblie phone connection requires me to 'belong' somewhere. This is extremely frustrating as I was glad to be liberated from the fold when I quit. So I have lately taken to saying that I am a student at XYZ driving school.
It maybe that I m an escapist or a misguided 'angry young man' ( as my mom asked - " Who do you think you are - Pink Floyd ? " ). At the same time , I know that I ll have get back to the corporate world after my higher studies. I guess there is no escaping institutions after all. I shall therefore take consolation in mocking them by writing verse.
Presenting - a short piece that came to be banned in office.
" I have absolutely no regard
For my corporate ID card
But even if I threw it to mars
I d end up with a day- pass"
( day passes were issued to those who had forgotten their ID cards :) )
2 comments:
Well, I think its really cool ur mom knows or compares u to Pink Floyd! My folks here would've thought thats a new shade of arbid pink make-up I've purchased!
I know what you mean by the 'whr do u belong' conversation. Its frustrating to explain to people exactly why I've chosen to 'waste' my youth by being unemployed! I was even told by Vodafone to get a letter from my parents confirming that they would cover all my expenses and bills. You know, cuz I'm a dependant now!
Even as guests we needed a day pass. What about a smaller institution?
And isn't life about finding places you feel that you belong?
I guess I kind of understand, I don't think I belong anywhere.
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