Identity, a created crisis

Introducing ourselves to others, others to others and getting ourselves to know others, have always been an issue addressed much less by the majority. That's one glaring reason why we don't exactly know many people, what they primarily do for a living and what they are good at. And, this has implications beyond our general comprehension.

It's quite common to see people talking to each other for the umpteenth time, apparently in infectious camaraderie, yet oblivious of each others' vocational identities and calling to whatever amount of limited fame. In this scenario, what both miss out on are endless possibilities of mutual gains. When you actually know someone, the relationship becomes more meaningful.

"Meet him. He's a good friend", "Oh, this is my cousin. She has a lovely kitchen garden" or "Hi, I'm Rishi. I also stay at TG Road", and then the introduction is over. In these three cases, the 'good friend' is a brilliant Chartered Accountant, the lady having the kitchen garden is a revered teacher and a social worker, while our Rishi is a budding entrepreneur having been a State level Tennis player. Neither the 'third party' indifferent introducer nor the 'first party' self-effacing mortal could project the identity of the concerned person the way it could have been.

Apart from the proverbial self-important tormentors, many of us don't even bother to know others. At the same time, it's imperative that each of us cares to craft our own identities and package and project it on time, appropriately and contextually. Remember, how people look at you, counts.