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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 14:20 IST

This afternoon, in a ladies' room. Two hot shot career girls are discussing their career moves, and I cannot but overhear, as I stand waiting my turn at the tap, the 'he saids' and 'she saids' and 'i saids.'

Girl one, in pink top and jeans, and very nice hair, turns on the tap. Full. The reaches for the apology of a soap solution that most loos have. The tap water flows full, as ordered.

The other girl, and i reach out almost at the same time to turn the tap off. The other girl, in black, plump and well oiled hair, manages to get to the tap first and turns off the water.

I put on my school marm voice that turns up when I talk green.

Get your soap, then turn on the water, i say. The pink one looks at me, like I am a sudden voice from hell.' Even water can run out on you someday if you take it for granted', I add, relentlessly.

She turns, turns on the tap, washes her hands.

They resume their conversation. You were good, I tell miss plump, you saw the water being wasted and moved to stop it.

She smiles back... more talk.

Miss Pink is now drying her hands, not at the new,hot air drier that is installed next to the sink, but with toilet paper that hangs from a rail next to it.

She is talking, as she pulls out reams... and wipes her hands.

Watch it... I cannot help saying again. Use the drier, dont waste paper that does not need to be wasted.

She now gives me a dirty look.

Time to retreat.

Be more responsioble, I say, you owe it to yourself.

And I leave.

End of story.

Any resposes???.

11 comments

You did the right thing! Instead of keeping mum fearing the consequences, it's better to let the person know about the mistake she committed. They need not give you a dirty look coz care for environment is everyone's responsibility...

hey lady u r very rite. as far as i am concerned if u have to hit them for making them understand the importance of wat they got, do it. they would get an idea if they had 2 drink their own urine to quench their thirst, which is done by kids in some places in africa. kudos 2 u lady. i m with u.

Water, paper, electricity are all resources that are fast becoming scarce and assuming the status of premium commodity. These have to be conserved. Their improper utilisation will hurt everyone. Unfortunately, very few understand how it will hurt. The price of these elements is the only one that is visible and it is sad that despite prices of these items increasing, there is no semblance of improvement in discipline.

Using tissue is a crime against the environment, but using electric power is not a lesser crime. Why not use a kerchief? In restaurants, too, I prefer to use napkins to tissues. It is high time people (especially educated people) understand the harm done by them to the environment. When we go to the market what's the harm in taking a cotton bag along? I think use of these by celebrities can boost usage by others, because crazy people do not use their brains but follow others, especially celebrities.

U r lucky none of them hits u!

I live in Bahrain. I keep turning the tap off each time my colleague leaves it on and ask her to stop doing it day in and day out. She laughs and tells me its her country, so she can do what she likes. But I haven't given up. I still advise and warn her that one day water will dry up globally; each of us should remember that.

I don't think all youngsters are so irresponsible towards the environment and other social areas. A lot of them join NGOs, city cleanup drives, etc. But there is a section that is totally ignorant of global issues. Most of them will be well educated and smartly dressed but will have no idea how to keep a washroom clean.

but i disagree with amba — to keep shut! fact is that is what has led to this situation. speak up, even at the cost of getting a dirty look. as for anwar, yes, soon electricity can be produced from renewable sources, but we will run out of trees to produce paper. don't be glib.

It is a cliche, but I cannot help quipping: "Youth is selfish." Seriously, they have no idea of conservation and the like. The perfunctory attendance in school (EVS) was to secure pass marks, that's it. With no concern, they don't even know. Sadly, their knowledge is poor & this is compounded by their lack of reading habits! I have been interacting with this set of people and know for sure that we are headed for doomsday!

But what about the electric power which is consumed while using the hot air drier? Is paper more expensive than the electric power used for that duration?

It's an everyday story. Our new generation is getting more irresponsible, irresponsive to good advice. If you give advice, you are likely to get a curt response: Mind your business. They think whatever they are doing is the right thing; anybody objecting or trying to make them learn from their own experiences is a fool. You are likely to get a "dirty look", as you say. In these times, the only wise thing seems to be to keep your eyes and mouth shut. Otherwise, one may only regret it.