‘My engine now is like a horse. I need it to be like a donkey.’
That’s what I said and it got us laughter. But what I heard shortly after, moved me for the better.
My motorbike engine has been revving a little high of late and as I was nearby his area, I visited my regular mechanic (left). At times I go to other mechanics near my home, which is normally when it becomes apparent to me why my cousin is friends with this one and reminds me to only go to him.
Last year, I fixed my basket – art work and DIY diligence of the chap on the right, a random friend of theirs who was hanging out at the shop that day. His workshop is basically on a lane between houses of an old residential area. It is shaded by a tree and he runs it with his father. Together they deal with the standard random walk-in problems of others.
It may be obvious but not conscious, that people in the Poor or Developing World, are not exposed to foreign/new concepts of customer service (like Customer’s Always Right), let alone any formal training of it. At the heart of it all, as Developed Countries are beginning to (re)learn or unlearn, it is the heart. Or appearance of it at least.
My engine problem was simple, like a brief visit to an optician. Likewise, when there’s a very small problem with your glasses, as patrons we may ask what it costs knowing it’ll likely be free. Except mechanics tend to have things rougher overall – from patrons with peculiar manners to having oily fingers all day.
When I was leaving, another guy had a small fix too for his gears. It was literally a small touch by my mechanic and amazed the rider. Grateful, I overheard him asking what’s the cost. I looked back and saw my mechanic replied, with a smile, raising his hands a little,
‘Your prayers.’
