The tricky little thing called Familiarity

Familiarity breeds contempt.

For as long as I remember, I have uncannily related to this idiom and rationalised my affinity towards it with random instances of misgvings with those I share my living space with.

A recent incident though made me realise what a boon familiarity is. On an assignment to interview the founders of an ad agency, I was required to make my way to their office in a suburb of Mumbai. Being extremely resilient in NOT ASKING for directions unless necessary, I politely declined the interviewee's offer to help. I relied on Google Maps.

My journey from the station to the office took me through an area completely unknown to me. it consisted of snaky little lanes with open drains (though they looked more like clogged serpentine masses of black goo), garbage dumps, shacks in the name of houses and people who seemed so amused by my presence that they stared irrespective of their gender. My first instinct was to draw up the zipper on my grey hoodie and keep my eyes to the ground lest anyone be tempted to strike a conversation. Of all the times that I boasted of equality and feeling comfortable in diverse cultural environs, this was NOT one.

Uneasiness started to set in. What was supposed to be a seven minute walk had already become a 15 minute walk (trek if you consider the bumpy road and all). That is when i saw it. A small jeweler's shop with the usual sets and utensils made of gold and silver out on display. The jeweler was chatting with his customers and trying to persuade them to buy one thing or another. Right beside the glittery wares was a frame with Lord Mahavir Swami's photo (he is a Jain God). That instant brought me so much relief I did not know it was possible. Without skipping a beat, I went into his shop and ask him for directions. He gave me the same directions and time estimates as the others had given. I even prolonged the conversation and switched to Gujarati. After those two minutes of inconspicuous conversation with him, I went on my way, surprisingly calmer and somehow not breathing so hard.

I found the place and the interview went well and my journey from the ad agency to home was pretty much mundane. On my way back though, I realised that familiarity is a double edged sword. While i get that urge to run away from environs that have become too known (people, places, routine all included), the fact remains that a friendly face in the crowd goes a long way in making the journey worthwhile.

Familiarity does breed contempt, but unfamiliar landscapes may just not be worth it after all.