#005 HOW DIFFERENT PEOPLE VIEW THE SAME THING DIFFERENTLY

SCRAP SALE AND REWARDING WORKERS

We have recently undertaken repairs to our home. We have demolished a parapet wall and railing of a stair case. We have received some iron scrap from the debris.

My wife asked one of the construction workers to sell the scrap to a recycling scrap buyer, a few days back. The worker sold it and brought Indian Rupees 510 (approx. $10). She took the money and gave him Rs. 10 as an incentive.

She told me about the incident later. I was very much surprised because I was expecting Rs. 100 or so considering the prevailing scrap metal prices, particularly the scrap steel prices. I thought that the worker deserved rewarding for his efficiency and honesty because I was left with a profit of Rs. 400. I invited the two workers who participated in the demolition job and gave them Rs. 100/- as a token of my appreciation.

I have told my wife about reward I gave the workers, later. She has felt that the reward is unnecessary. She viewed that the worker might have sold the scrap for more than Rs. 510/-, and might have already pocketed at least Rs. 100/-. It might have been true.

I have written about this incident because how differently people perceive the things they receive through their senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin etc.). The thinking habits and thought processes in individuals might have developed within them gradually in response to their own personal experiences. I may believe that many workers are honest and deserve rewarding because I have come across in my life more such workers. My wife may believe differently because she might have come across more dishonest workers.

This is the maaya (illusion) of this jagat (world).