Just been to Haridwar.
Hotel provided a white taxi
for going to a few 'ashrams'.
Paid whatever was asked for.
Hotel asked the taxi
to reach us to the station.
No money was asked for that.
But I paid the driver a hefty tip.
He was not expecting that.
Somewhere there was a communication gap.
And by Haridwar standards
the tip was rather heavy.
My Metro mind could not reorient
and so I was gumptious.
On reaching Delhi
I paid the young cab driver
what the Taxi service
had asked for.
But the guy wanted night charges.
I enquired with the service provider.
He said: You have paid
what was due.
I told the cab driver,
I will tip you.
He said: No;
and drove off.
I felt now doubly bitter.
By tipping one who did not expect anything.
And by wanting to tip
but rebuffed.
