Gandhigiri actually works!!!

GANDHIGIRI EXPERIENCE

Of course, Gandhism or Gandhigiri as it is now better known works (Thanks to Munnabhai) if it does not have anything to do with values!!

My experience with Gandhigiri relates to chaotic traffic and driving on Bangalore roads especially on the IT Corridor. I travel from my home near Brooke Fields to office in Nrupathunga road almost on a daily basis. Driving on Airport-Whitefield Road means you are in the stream of white Indicas/Sumos/Qualis cars ferrying call center guys in a tearing hurry. Most drivers have absolutely no idea of lane discipline.

Now, suppose you are moving in the left stream of traffic and chugging at 10 kmph and find a parked car obstructing you then have to somehow get into the next right lane to move ahead and for this thrusting out your hand or signaling by indicator will definitely invite aggressive looks & honking from the driver behind.

The Gandhigiri trick, I have now learnt from some clever cab drivers is to put on the indicator and at the same time stick out your hand but all the fingers have to be joined together facing the sky like how you would originate flying kiss from your lips! This is similar to the action some pedestrian would indicate to you that your mobike lights or on during daytime. Now open and close your fingers. This signifies to the guy behind “Hey, please man please” in an imploring way and if need be reinforce the action with a quick reverse peek meek smile and note that guy would definitely allow you to enter the lane in front of him!!

The Gandhigiri trick also works when you have to take a U turn at a median gap but the opposite stream is continuously streaming past not giving you a chance. Seeing you waiting will also trigger a slow driver behind in the stream to accelerate just to get the pleasure of not allowing you!! What you have to do is to keep inching forward and when you notice a slightly bigger gap just nudge forward sticking out your hand over the hood all the while with your fingers performing a double action of opening and closing. And when you finally make it just allow the guy to overtake you and flash a smile. In all probability he will smile back!!

The Gandhigiri trick is to convey somehow to the other guy that you are subjugated and the other car is more important!! Try it out man, it works!!

LAKSHMIRATAN (Ajit)