Confidence

Uber driver: “Vanshi Maam, I am at your location “enter location”. I am waiting for you”

• I was so so confused. I went downstairs, sat in the Uber and re-read his message.

Then, I asked “Bhaiya, apne English kahan se seekha hai?”

Here’s the conversation, 40% was in English:

“Ma’am, I learned English while working as an office boy”

• How?

“Ma’am, while I was working, everyone spoke English.
Over time, when I heard things that were being said again and again, I asked what it meant.

• Ok, but who taught you?

“I did with the help of my friends in office!” He said with a gleaming smile.
I went to my friends in office and told them I wanted to learn English, then, I told them that if I ask a question, it’s because I want to learn and I don’t know”

• Did they help?

“Yes, they were very kind, they answered all my questions and slowly even taught me new words and things I can say”

• Do you know how to read and write?

“No ma’am but my children are teaching me”

• How?

“My daughter is in 12th, my son in 10th. They learn English in school and while they learn, they teach me little”

I was speechless.
This man, in his 50s, had 4 qualities

• Confidence
• Ability to accept shortcomings
• An active approach to learning
• Positivity

Uttam Uncle, you inspire me.