I was listening to Radio Indigo today and the RJ was asking what do people (especially in cars) want when they are stuck in traffic.Traffic in Bangalore is one of the worst ones in the country(even ex-pats agree).Many listeners were calling in and giving suggestions like pollution masks, magazines, DVD's etc.
One of the interesting suggestions was given by some girl named Ashwati.She told everyone will want to eat something during times in which they are stuck in traffic.Biscuits,chocolates or salted snacks or some munchies like that.She even mentioned even though it is obvious,nobody is doing it.
When I thought about it I found it really practical. The idea is that 
That's a great news for fast food vendors out there to add more 
"Every adversity is a opportunity for those with a positive attitude"
I appreciate this unique post and the quote at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteBrad
I loved the post....i am just wondering that how many of us actually thought about it before.....none..........brilliant man............
ReplyDeleteI applaud the "new" idea (forgetting peanut sellers at rail crossing) and thinking. It may be excellent to think like this in terms of business.
ReplyDeleteI wish to say that you got to consider whether it is safe (ethical) to sell such product to this particular group of consumers. As a doctor who treat lot of patients from accidents, I think the idea is dangerous.
Just google it for eating and driving... Here are some links:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article612647.ece
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4788910.stm
http://www.safermotoring.co.uk/DrinkingEatingSmokingWhenDriving.html
I must say that I lost few of my colleagues in India due to road traffic accidents. The regulations are strict in UK and I lost none in UK.
Please think!
Sathish,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insights and info.
Yes,there might be disregard whether eating during commuting should be encouraged.But I think its also the customers responsibility to not to risk their lives for snacks.Because getting stuck for 15 minutes is not unusual in bangalore or other major cities.so people use mobile,read magazines, eat,etc.
As for rules i am not sure if there is no regulation in India banning eating while driving,but i don't think it will be a problem unless consumers "eat responsibly" only while stuck and not while driving.
I am sorry for the loved one you lost but the point is even if rules are made strict here,people will still try to bypass them rather than follow them even though they are fully aware of the risk.
Hi MJ,
ReplyDeleteYou may wish not to publish this one.
Who is responsible for what is a big grey area.
For example, it is well known thay people develop cancer due to smoking. Who is responsible for their cancer death - person smoked, tobacco producer, cigarette manufacturer, government allowing to sell them...etc.,
In the same example, who is responsible for cancer death of a person who never smoked but inhaled passively? It gets complicated isn't it.
It is easy to shrug shoulder and say that is consumer responsibility.
That's where ethical issue comes.
When you make any decisions you can take a social view to make a decision like above or..
Think like this - do you want to cross road when somebody eating and driving (probably eating something you sold just now)? You can take a selfish view and not sell them.
Most people do things because they think it affects only them. so, In their mind, they are allowed to take risks. Unfortunately, it is not true. It is like saying - I can drive even after 4 glasses of wine and never had an accident. Well, it hasn't happened yet.
I am not worried much about the consumer who try to kill himself/herself by eating and driving. I am worried about the pedestrian and other road users who are influenced by that decision. Who are not consulted in that decision making.
You may wonder, Why on earth I am writing all this to you. It was just a blog for heaven sake.
Internet is a powerful medium. You are a great writer. It attracts lot of people and you can propagate lot of good informations to them. I am not implying that you have to write like saint all the time. But, to start to think a bit more responsible for your bit of role you play.
You are right to say that there are no rules in India about eating and driving. It is people who make the government, if the people are not good then the government can't be good. (you may want to discuss this but this would be like "which came first chicken or egg") My point is something has to change for the bigger good change in India. It has to come from people.
It is very important to remember that just because everyone does it does not make it the right thing to do ("getting stuck for 15 minutes is not unusual in bangalore or other major cities.so people use mobile,read magazines, eat,etc..."). Just because our government or driver does not value life and allow irresponsible behaviour - it does not become right.
One thing I noticed here in UK is - if there was an incident anywhere in the world (example major fire in US) then the local experts here discuss that issue to see how to improve the present system here to manage such an incident if it were to happen. This I find very interesting. They try to learn from other mistakes and experience even before it occurs to them. They take responsibility and upgrade their standards.
I like to see that happening in India. Shrugging shoulders and pointing fingers is not good for India.
"...even if rules are made strict here,people will still try to bypass them..." I like to say - I am not interested in what others do. I am interested in How I lead my life and How I earn my bread. Hope you feel the same.
Hi MJ, Satish nice post and arguments. I don't mind grabbing something to eat in India. If you guys think this would kill people on the road, please ban smoking, talking on phone, check for pollution on the roads, ensure people wear seat belts, helmets, follow signals. Looks good on paper though implementation is not that rosy. May be we can ask customers to pull over and munch and then drive to avoid the traffic.
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