Offering seats

During our fieldwork in Kalikot, one of my female colleagues made a surprising comment. She asked me not to give up my seat for any women, explaining that it made her feel as though men were superior to women. Her statement caught me off guard. I responded with a simple "okay," but it made me reflect. I’ve never given up my seat because I felt someone was inferior. For me, it’s always been about showing respect.

Growing up, we were taught to offer seats to women and seniors because they deserved more comfort, not because of any notion of superiority. I remember during our fieldwork in Bhojpur, the junior engineers and overseers offered us their seats. It felt unusual, but also kind and respectful—it was never awkward or uncomfortable. Up until that point, I was usually the one offering my seat to others. Accepting a seat in such situations feels natural, without any thoughts of superiority or inferiority. In teamwork, respecting these small gestures and the unspoken hierarchy goes a long way.

I travel a lot by public buses, and I still offer my seat to women and seniors whenever I can. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing them smile and say thank you—it’s a small act of kindness that brightens the day for both of us. These moments remind me that respect and consideration should guide our actions, not any misplaced notions of status.