Comments on: Lungi discrimination is history, now it is an untouchable on scooter

By: ramya

ramya — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:51:54 +0000

interesting article. There are two ways of assessing the situation though. 1. Look at it from the Hotel's point of view. Maybe they have experienced people entering their hotel for free food/free towels/soaps/etc. and are just weary of such individuals. Are they type casting individuals based on their social status? Yes. Is type casting and prejudice a form of human self defense? Yes. And in today's day and age it is important to do so, in my opinion at least.
2. The elitist mentality in bangalore is getting out of hand. Yes. But India's suffering from an identity crisis. And the moment one tries to shed his/her prejudiced thinking, and mingle more freely, one ends up in a soup. I can speak from experience. Divisiveness, and prejudice help to some extent in protecting boundaries and setting norms
What i would say is, don't take the incident too personally. Hotels like the Lalit Ashok, etc. still allow scooters and refrain from the classification or discrimination. So one experience at an upstart hotel is hardly reason to judge. And i think you really shouldn't give a damn.

By: Arun

Arun — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:27:55 +0000

Very annoying. I would have sulked and left if it wasn't work.

By: abhijit shilotri

abhijit shilotri — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:01:08 +0000

It is a matter of shame and disgust…This should make to the headlines in Bangalore Mirror ….its a pity that these hotels and individuals alike treat you looking at your vehicle nishant.

But i guess you should write about this in DNA and make people aware about this treatment

By: Karthikeyan Ponnalgau

Karthikeyan Ponnalgau — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:07:35 +0000

I guess, it could have been much better if you refused to cover the event and walked off. In your case you had your family/father's car as an option. What about others? Its something your own Media bosses and the Hotel involved here should sort out, how they wanted to carry on forward.. But I would express my sorry for you to felt this way..

By: Hemant Birj

Hemant Birj — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:43:28 +0000

I faced a similar situation when I had to attend a company event @ITC gardenia. I was asked to go through the rear entrance which I did. At the rear entrance the guards wanted to know who I am and the purpose behind my visit. They were clueless about my company event when I mentioned it. They kept asking each other what is the procedure to let me inside.
Security Guy 1: Kaha jana hain.
Me: I am here for the party.
SG1 to SG2: He is here for the party.

SG2 too also clueless. They ask another SG apparently their senior who grunts non commital and mentions badge.

Me: What badge ?
SGuys look at each other cluelessly and confused. By this time I had lost my patience and removed my helmet and yelled. "Are you guys going to let me in or not ?".
That seemed to work. They raised the barrier and in I go.
But, yes I did regret not taking my car and having an easier entry.

By: Ritesh

Ritesh — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:32:03 +0000

Its the same case with the Leela, who expect you to park on the road behind the hotel. Anyway, given people's inclination towards driving a car in Bangalore, most of these hotels will lie empty in a year or two. Wonder what they have to say to people who travel via public transport ??

By: Bikerdude

Bikerdude — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:03:08 +0000

Crazy man, sorry to hear this! Was hoping this sorta stuff (thats commonplace in other cities) wouldn't happen in ours! Glad you wrote about it, and hope it reaches them!

By: ArunM

ArunM — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:30:44 +0000

Hi Nishant, trust me – this 'scooter class' discrimination isn't a Gardenia exclusive and neither is it a new phenomenon. During my early career years as a sales exec for one of the world's best known liquor brands, I have faced this numerous times – in New Delhi – in the late '90s, instigating me to buy an M800 despite my meagre sal! I later agnised most 5 star hotels in B'lore (and a few in Hyderabad) followed the same policy; surprised to know it still continues!

I would be interested to observe whether the treatment would be the same if you rode in on a Harley or a BMW!

By: P K Rathnakar

P K Rathnakar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:45:38 +0000

These happenings are not due to system failures but because of individual's capacity to digest the matter. The issue may be taken at appropriate forum for remedial measure so that such instance shall not recur again and again.

By: Dhruva

Dhruva — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:27:22 +0000

This is nothing … I work for one of top 5 IT services company and our employer used to do this to us – everyday.
Imagine going through this everyday while entering/leaving your office building. (frisking, giving you “stamped” list of things etc)… if you protest, they will say it is “company policy” – ISO, CMM, or some security certification requirement … so they cannot help it.