Counterpoint - September 17, 2003

Every issue, every event – global, national and local – has a point and a counterpoint. You are given the point all the time in news and analyses. Now get the counterpoint


A time for new beginnings?

He switched on the ignition, lowered the volume of the radio, moved the air-conditioning up and turned around to face me on the back seat. Good afternoon and where would you like to go ma'am, he asked, and what route would you like me to follow?

I was taken aback. I am not used to the cabbies of this city greeting me and speaking to me so politely. And I'm certainly not used to being asked which route I'd like to follow.

Sometimes he might grunt in reply after I've spoken; mostly he just flicks the steering in response. The music stays loud - very often in a language I don't understand and he knows I don't understand - and the air-conditioning is never turned in my direction. He follows a route he wants to, usually it means a few dirhams extra.

This cabbie was clearly different. How different I was to find out soon.

He began talking about Dubai, good things, problems. Pointed out new highrises, explained the concept of Dubai 2003. He spoke accurately of new labour and immigration laws, new restaurants and hit films. Why are you driving a taxi, I asked him suddenly. He turned around and grinned. Because I needed the money.

I am a law graduate and was working in a law firm in my home country, he said. I was in a financial crisis; I needed quick money. I decided to come to Dubai and the first job I got was to drive a taxi. I took it. I've repaid my loan. Do you know why I'm still continuing? For the experience.

I must have looked sceptical because he paused for a minute, thought, and continued. Okay. You're a graduate right? Will you work as a housemaid if you need to do it for an indepth story? Yes, I said. Exactly, he replied. That's what I'm doing. I intend to work as a people's lawyer when I go back home. Now I know, first hand, the many problems people face. I speak to so many people as a driver. I'm getting to know so much. All this will really, really help me when I start taking up cases and causes. I saw his eyes and believed him totally.

I've known several other people who've taken up jobs quite unrelated to their qualifications. Usually they do it the other way round though. That is, do a steady job for years and then change career midstream.

For example, an acquaintance who worked here as a teacher. They emigrated to Canada and in the first grim jobless days she took up serving in a fast food restaurant. She used to complain about the hours; about being always on her feet; about demanding customers and ill-behaved children who slopped ketchup on tables and milkshake on floors. Slowly, her complaints faded away. Soon she was talking about the grand pleasure of working with food. The last I heard she has set up a small restaurant on her own. Still mopping tables, scraping leftovers. Only now she's doing it for pleasure.

I know a man in India who worked for years in a publishing house. Attended book fairs regularly, knew a fair bit about copy and printing and bestsellers. All the while, he wanted to be a singer. He's given up his job at 45 and has begun singing professionally, cutting albums and doing shows, even going abroad. Incidentally, he has found a very receptive audience.

I met a man who was once a yuppy banker in the US, driving a posh car and hard bargain. One day he gave it all up. To become an alternative therapist and a meditation master in Iran.

Maybe there IS something about giving it all up and starting anew...