I have a habit of asking questions about topics on which I don’t have sufficient knowledge. And I tell you it can be anything and everything under the sun.
Though theoretically I knew everything about a car practically I tried my hand at driving for a very short spell of time. But when it came to servicing or repairing any parts I made it a point to personally go to the workshop and ask the mechanics a lot of questions.
Now, in our society even if a woman drives a car she seldom goes to the Service Centre or to the roadside mechanic for repair/service. It’s the duty of the husband or any other male member of the family. Reason? Firstly, it’s not considered respectable for a lady to interact with the men of that profession. Secondly, what would a woman know about automobile engineering?
But yours truly being an exception (ahem…!!) did just that. The roadside mechanics thought I was crazy. When I showed interest in understanding the cause of malfunction they imparted their domain knowledge with undisguised amusement or reservation, whichever. The service personnel of the Authorised Service Centres were a little more polite perhaps because they had to maintain goodwill and also because of B-I-L who too got his cars serviced there. Condescending or otherwise, though I inwardly bristled, I tolerated their attitude being at the learning end.
At the office front, I was entrusted with a job which required adequate knowledge of engineering. In order to fully understand the subject I had to ask the concerned Department (all technocrats) for requisite inputs – again a lot of questions. However, they would patiently explain the nitty gritty of the matters to me. It was a humbling experience because for them time was precious. Yet they appreciated the problem and satisfied my queries which eased work to a great extent.
In fact, throughout life I have learnt much by eliciting information from those who are experts in their fields. Once I make my intentions clear that I, as a layperson, want to learn from them most help willingly and some grudgingly.
I have never felt ashamed to admit my lack of knowledge. And my eagerness to know, I guess, gratifies a few too. My father often said that one should always respect a person who knew better than I did, no matter what their stature was in society or their attitude. Those words must have got ingrained in my brain for good. So, whosoever it be and howsoever hard it may be I have somehow managed to extract whatever I can from them in my quest for knowing. And honestly, what you gather by asking people in flesh and blood even the AI won’t be able to provide that much for sure.
Having established myself as a perennial knowledge seeker (read questioner) yet I have to comply with the standing instruction of my family which is “puccho par us bechaarey ki dimaag ka dahi mat banaa dena” which means “Question but keep in mind that the poor chap’s sanity remains intact.”
So now I have to contain my curiosity in accordance with that caveat.
😂😂😂😂
They say that inquisitive people are intelligent!
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Hehh ..Hehh…early in the morning such a nice compliment ☺️
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It’s so true for children, too
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That’s true
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I don’t have any knowledge of how mechanics work. I admire your enthusiasm
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In Hindi there is a saying “pyaanz ke chhilke utaarna” which means peeling an onion layer by layer. That is what I do till nothing of the onion is left. I do not know whether it is enthue or over inquisitiveness, or a psychological issue or just a bad habit 😆.
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All great scientsts of the world have a thing in common and that is being inquisitive.It is good to be inquisitive.
And why should a particular gender have all the fun,we should also know how to change a flat tyre.😂
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😂😂😂😂
You reminded me of an old ad tagline “Why only boys should have all the fun”
As regards changing flat tyres that’s the first thing B-I-L said I should learn before even thinking of driving.
Yes I agree all inventions started with curiosity and questions.
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Geeta ji, 🙏
Your habit of questioning is not merely curiosity; it is a beautiful expression of humility before knowledge.
The person who can honestly say, “I do not know please explain it to me,” creates space within for learning. Knowledge does not live only in books, degrees, or positions; it also lives in the hands of a mechanic, the experience of a technician, and the practical wisdom of an ordinary person.
What makes your reflection particularly meaningful is the respect you show toward those who know more than you, regardless of their social standing. To ask without feeling inferior and to learn without allowing the ego to interfere is itself a form of wisdom.
Perhaps true learning begins when we stop asking, “What will people think of me if I don’t know?” and start asking, “What can this person teach me that I do not yet understand?”
And yes, there is one final spiritual discipline to master: ask questions, but do not churn the poor person’s brain into curd! 😂
A curious mind keeps growing because it remains humble enough to say, “I may not know, but I am willing to learn.”
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Thank you so much Vijayji. You have really gone into the heart of the post. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Feeling embarrassed, hiding one’s own limitations and pretending to know everything are obstructions to learning and growth. I have seen people putting up a farce of knowing and basking in and bragging on borrowed knowledge. But it can easily be seen through. Your analytical remarks always add to the post and I look forward to your meaningful presence always. Thank you so much.
PS: I will keep the churning aside consciously now 😂
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I think it’s wonderful that you ask questions and try to gain knowledge and understanding. I wish more people would do that…I think it would help to alleviate misunderstandings.
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Thank you so much Richard. Even in this space I learn so much by reading and interacting. There are so many multifaceted bloggers like you and everyone is so eager to help. Grateful.
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I love your curiosity!
You were absolutely right to break those stereotypes at the mechanic’s shop. And your family’s final warning is just hilarious!
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Hee…Hee…yes that family warning is to put me on my two feet. Thanks so much Luisa. I love your presence 😍
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You are so sweet!
Sending you a big hug, glad to be here. 🥰
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Hug you back dear Luisa. I look up to you.
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🤗
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I think you have the right approach dear sister. I would ask the questions but only if those I question want to answer me
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It’s not easy Sadje given our social conditions.
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Oh that I fully understand. Same culture on both sides of the border
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A delightful and candid reflection on the art of learning by asking questions. There is no shame in saying “I don’t know”; in fact, the willingness to ask, listen and learn is a sign of an open and curious mind. Your father’s advice is particularly worth remembering—knowledge deserves respect, regardless of the person’s position or stature.
And the family’s caveat about not making *“us bechaarey ki dimaag ka dahi”* is priceless! A perennial questioner is an asset—provided the interrogation comes with a little mercy. 😊
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Curious indeed but one must remember curiosity killed the cat. In that respect the caveat is crucial. 😂 Thanks for appreciating my quest for seeking. As Byomkesh calls himself the truth seeker I prefer myself to be known as a knowledge seeker be it hidden inside a spanner or an office file and everywhere inbetween. Hehh….Hehhh…the analogy comes from listening to a lot of Sharadindu Bandopadhyay audio stories recently. 😁
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Especially when we live alone, we need to know as much about these things as any man, Geeta. Good for you.
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Thank you so much Mary. You understand me perfectly. Knowledge is power in the absence of which chances are there to be fleeced.
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“My father often said that one should always respect a person who knew better than I did, no matter what their stature was in society or their attitude.” is golden.
Sadly as a society we still think women are not capable of math or science as much as men!
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The discriminatory attitude is still there, I agree, in disguised or undisguised forms.
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