The Cab Driver
I woke up late today. Well later than usual anyway. So I decided to take a cab to work today instead of my usual express bus route. Gosh its so hard to get a cab in the morning! I had to wait like a whole 15 mins before I managed to get into one.
The Cab Driver who took me started chatting to me. Talking about how Singaporeans are becoming more rude, how youngsters these days are getting more rowdy. Usually I would turn myself off or even avoid the conversation altogether. But what intrigued me was when he told me that he was previously an assistant director in DBS. He was there for over 40 years before he started driving a cab two years ago. Apparently he was retrenched during the last economic downturn. Wow, such a turn around from his the corporate life he has lead for the past 3 to 4 decades.
The Cab Driver however was very appreciative that he still held a job nonetheless. He told me of the various people he met throughout his time as a cab driver. The lady who shouted at him for turning the meter a second early, the man who forgot his wallet and was going sailing for six months, the lady who had only 5 dollars with her (but stole more than 30 dollars from the Cab Driver unknnowingly) and even the Ah Beng who adviced the Cab Driver to take care as his own uncle died falling asleep while driving his cab.
Of course, The Cab Driver's belief in god, helped him somewhat coped with the situation as he believed that there was a learning point and something positive to take away from each situation. His motto "being kind gets you kindness" was repeated quite a few times to me during the journey.
Though I do not agree with the Cab Driver's motto (thanks to Social Psychology!) nor his belief that god gives a reason for everything. From a high flying corporate job to driving a cab, meeting different people during each ride everyday. I really thought that he handled his situations really well as he managed to turn everything he experienced into something positive.
Anyways now thats posted, back to work. I've got a meeting to organise. Besides after today's meeting, my life will be getting much easier.
The Cab Driver who took me started chatting to me. Talking about how Singaporeans are becoming more rude, how youngsters these days are getting more rowdy. Usually I would turn myself off or even avoid the conversation altogether. But what intrigued me was when he told me that he was previously an assistant director in DBS. He was there for over 40 years before he started driving a cab two years ago. Apparently he was retrenched during the last economic downturn. Wow, such a turn around from his the corporate life he has lead for the past 3 to 4 decades.
The Cab Driver however was very appreciative that he still held a job nonetheless. He told me of the various people he met throughout his time as a cab driver. The lady who shouted at him for turning the meter a second early, the man who forgot his wallet and was going sailing for six months, the lady who had only 5 dollars with her (but stole more than 30 dollars from the Cab Driver unknnowingly) and even the Ah Beng who adviced the Cab Driver to take care as his own uncle died falling asleep while driving his cab.
Of course, The Cab Driver's belief in god, helped him somewhat coped with the situation as he believed that there was a learning point and something positive to take away from each situation. His motto "being kind gets you kindness" was repeated quite a few times to me during the journey.
Though I do not agree with the Cab Driver's motto (thanks to Social Psychology!) nor his belief that god gives a reason for everything. From a high flying corporate job to driving a cab, meeting different people during each ride everyday. I really thought that he handled his situations really well as he managed to turn everything he experienced into something positive.
Anyways now thats posted, back to work. I've got a meeting to organise. Besides after today's meeting, my life will be getting much easier.