Loyalty- the new forbidden word

If there’s anything that is fast disappearing from the face of the earth apart from the money invested in stock markets, it is loyalty in relationships. There was a time when ‘one job, one wife, one car’ was the mantra. Companies valued loyalty in employees and vice versa. Loyalty was synonymous with marriage once.

Today loyalty is seen nowhere and so is politeness in the method of exit. People are being laid off unceremoniously there is no time for procedural politeness. People are being dumped from relationships impersonally (welcome to the world of SMS!). Employees change jobs at a drop of a hat. Loyalty is long lost is certain fields such as politics.

Once upon a time, people planned their careers and post career retirement in the same firm. Now instances where employees have moved on within a month are common. Companies have also become short sighted when it comes to retaining employees. Cost cutting for showing better quarter results has become more important than losing good people from the organization’s point of view. Life has become fast paced and so everyone wants results faster. The fact that promotions based on seniority have lost sheen shows that no one is ready to spend 25 years in one organization to become a part of the management. Also there are instances where those who are with an organization too long are looked down upon in the social circles as it would seem to others that they don’t have enough talent to go to a better place/ position.

If short term goals are the reason for lack of loyalty in jobs then what about relationships? Hectic lifestyle is making sure that not much time is given to cultivate a long term relationship and also people don’t have the patience to wait and the give another chance to partner. Communication between partners has become impersonal with the advent of technology. Social acceptance of the issue has also made sure that there isn’t any stigma attached with moving-on in relationships.

There is a positive side to the issue – people wanting an exit due to genuine reasons can do so easily without much heartburn.

Does this mean that ‘loyalty’ is no longer there anywhere? It is still alive in the minds of consumers. You are loyal to the doctor who has treated you well. You are loyal to the service providers who have shown that you are among their most valuable customers. You are loyal to the insurance company/ bank and such institutions who value your long term association. You are loyal to those brands which have exceeded your expectations as products. But increasingly even these are changing. You are willing to change everything you are loyal to in pursuit of better service, more value-for-money and better product.

Society evolves over a period of time. True. We have to come to terms with the idea of being disloyal. But whether it is for the good of all is a debatable issue.

Television

It is holiday time again and time for the family to fight over the TV remote (or so we thought!). Surprisingly all we did was browse channels and switch off the TV in 10 minutes. Old wine in older bottle. Never ending serials, reruns of films, interviews of actors for 100th time, repeated songs which have a festive touch, boring realty shows, etc. Is creativity of Indian television dead?

When Doordarshan was the only channel available and there was no 24/7 concept, there were quality programs. On festival days we had programs telling us the importance of the festivals and films were shown once-in-a-week. Realty TV was unheard of and celebrities were not falling over each other to be interviewed. There was exclusivity of each program and everyone looked forward to the program time.

With almost once channel being launched each month and one DTH operator entering the fray within 6 months, people are spoilt for choice and hence the problem. TRPs would fall and why not. Too many programs vying for the same eyeballs (so is the case with political parties in AP – too many parties for the same voter base).

‘Entertainment’ has a new definition on TV and most of the programs, I think, we can do without. But to my amazement, people are enjoying them. Looking at the number of people opting for the basic packages on DTH, looks like the days of educative channels like National Geography and Discovery are over.

I find solace in kids’ channels. There is novelty. If not anything else, one can always enjoy reruns of age old favorites like Tom & Jerry.

Amusement Park

Last weekend we were in search of some place where our daughter can have fun and spend a day. We heard about Innovative Film city which opened recently in the outskirts of Bangalore. It is on the NH to Mysore, 8 kms from Wonderla, beside Bidadi Industrial area. We drove there hoping to come back in couple of hours as people told us that it was not complete yet.
We were in for a surprise when we saw the sprawling entrance (see pic). They tried to make it like another Disney land with someone to greet you at the gate and guide you. If I tell you all about the place, then it’s no fun. One thing is for sure, it is place where you can empty your pockets and spend the whole day. Damn expensive as compared to some other entertainment/ amusement parks.
I was kind of wondering about its future. They hoped to attract people in the city who lack places to chill out during weekend. But what happens if people start to pour in? They will find it difficult to maintain the place. They won’t be able to give personal attention to visitors as they are doing now. Probably they won’t care then.
Why do we need such ‘amusement places’ at all? Do we lack amusement at other places? When I was a kid we used to play on streets or wherever we could. Then there were colony parks where the kids used to assemble. These days kids hardly have time for physical exercise/ play. TV, video games are the norm. If parents have time then kids catch up with some books and stories.
There are no longer simple games like catch-catch.
If it’s a weekend, the family heads to a mall or shopping centre or party.. some social gathering. Father playing catch with son has become an annual affair during the vacation time.
I am not generalizing, but this is the trend that I see at most places in the cities. Villages don’t have malls and kids surely can play on the streets.
Everyone in the family is so caught up with their hectic schedules that they think that going out during weekends is the only way to ‘spend’ with family. No wonder retailing of all sorts has caught on like wild fire in India.

When will we have simple pleasures such as:
- watching your child getting dirty in the sand
- watching your child splash colors around while painting
- playing ball with your children
- getting wet in the rain
- having a family barbeque

We don’t need any hobby club to organize a fest to make such things happen. We just need to switch off our TV and computer and step out into the garden with kids.