Some disturbing thoughts...

Case 1:
Finance class...by a renowned guest faculty.
the lecturer keeps the class amused with anecdotes and petty digressions from the topic at hand. While trying to explain how an MBA should think, he puts forward this:

Lecturer (L) : Suppose you run a business of selling pens. The cost for a pen u incur is Rs.10. and being the smart business man you are, you sell it at Rs. 20/-.. So what is the profit you make per pen???

Class (duh..simple math): Rs.10/- ..(some wise-crack talked about overheads and other indirect costs apportionment..which was ignored)

L: Business is doing good. One fine day, by chance, an old friend of yours walks in to the showroom. You exchange pleasantries, reminisces the good old days.. Reason for visit?? Oh, he wants a pen. You generously offer him one for Rs.15/- ..good old buddy and all that.. So what is the profit here?

Class(duhher... should've sent this guy to a math class) : Rs. 5/-

L (with the 'oh-i-gotcha-there' smile) : Nope..it is a loss of Rs. 5/-. This is the pen you'd have sold for Rs. 20 and had to sell at Rs.15 coz the bugger was your friend. So, coz ur friend walks into ur business, you make a lose being nice.

Guy in row behind mine : Superb!!!
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Case 2:

30 sec to class.. me huffing and puffing along like a mad dog..on way i ward off screeching monkeys and masticating deer. IIT life takes out the novelty of seeing such things. In the mornings, while i drag myself along to hostel mess to chew on over-burnt, elastic dosas and insipid gooey pongals... i've lost count of the number of times i have encountered a battalion of deer munching dew tipped grass with a look of detachment written well on those faces. turn your face up and you see a whole colony of monkeys on the hostel roof and sun shades fighting over the loot of the day.

ah..coming back to the topic.. on way, met friend of mine in similar condition.

Me: Morning Ho!!

Friend: hey.. was just gonna come over to your room before i realised how late i'm gonna be for the class.

Me: whazzup ?

Friend: you know..right after the exams we should go to that restuarant X, and have a plate of A and C.

Me: oh..ok. who else coming?

Friend: No one.. the curry serves only 2. last time i went there, i couldnt finish the curry off.. so i thought i'd bring someone along so that we can split the bill of the curry and not waste the stuff we pay for.

Me: noble thought there.. n i was thinking that you liked my company.
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At times i wonder, where did i land up..is this what the course ought to teach me? to evaluate each and every decision in life in monetary terms? to look out for the incremental 'value-addition' that a particular opportunity would offer?

i see people forming strategic alliances rather than genuine friendship. the driving force underneath most relationships is the 'take-away', rather than liking for each other... talk about relationships that endure!!!

People hide their accomplishments/achievements until the last moment to make a grand entry, so that no-one else can copy them and take away their edge over others. Some withhold information for this very competitive advantage.. talk about fair playing ground!!!

And there are others with the 'sole shepherd' syndrome. They contribute only if assured that the particular task is impossible without their co-operation. Put them in a team of equals or better, they shrink off their responsibilities and put their skills to better use elsewhere...talk about team-spirit!!!

But am i the blue eyed babe in woods still looking for innate goodness in people ??? Heck No!!! but still..i wonder.. is this what i want to be..???