The quintessential Chennai businessman is a simple person. His sartorial taste may not always reveal his identity. He may wear a khaddar-dhothi and be indistinguishable from the common man; but, he will control the fortunes of a million people. Even those businessmen who like to be sartorially up-to-date avoid flamboyance, very common in business circles in other metros. Simplicity is not restricted to the business world. Intellectuals are also free of pretence. I am familiar with business realities in Indian metros, and I can confidently say that businessmen from Chennai are less aggressive. They are never ruthless in pushing their agendas. Every businessman has to crack the whip when he notices indiscipline and mediocrity. The whip employed by the Chennai businessman is, however, not barbed. He is as passionate about promoting best practices in his workplace as any, but he does it without forgetting that the employee is a human being with hopes and frustrations. What happens in its business world reflects the character of a city. Anywhere, people will be put off by inefficiency and undue delay. But, people differ in how they deal with it. When they have to wait long for a flight or are victims of an error committed by ticketing staff, passengers in Chennai will be frustrated. They may even talk to airline staff and express their displeasure. But, I am yet to see one passenger from the city who has been rude to an airline staff. In cities up North, aggressiveness is a way of life. There will be a lot of shoving at shopping malls, cinema ticket counters and other public spaces. It happens here too, but not to the extent that you are sick of stepping into these common spaces.
If the people of Chennai want to take pride in anything, it must be in their civility and simplicity.
(As told to Prince Frederick)
