obtuse angle

Traveling takes most of our lifetime these days. Though we are blessed (!) with smart gadgets for communication with people in the nook and corner of the world, we need to travel a lot to fulfill our business and social obligations. It was during some such travels, I experienced some interesting things..... Behind any heavy vehicle (bus or lorry), you can notice a warning : LEAVE A GAP OF 10  METERS.  That is 32.8 feet (still cannot escape from the urge to convert meter to feet...!). While on the move (speeding behind a vehicle around 80 to 100 kmph), how could anyone think of or calculate to maintain such distance...? I feel it to be ridiculous. Instead it could be "MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE".  Depending on several factors like nature of the road, weather conditions, braking capacity of the vehicle you are in, you (or your driver) will be the best judge. This is what I think. May be I am wrong! Those days (once again...!) when the British system was being discarded a...

'Word' is mightier than the 'sword'. It can do a lot more. Battles have been won (or lost) by appropriate (or inappropriate) use of words....! Peace between nations is struck by diplomatic usage of words. Improper use of words could damage a relationship permanently. It can soothe the 'hurt' feelings. What it cannot do....? Some people have the habit of saying 'thank you' for everything a person does for them. But they would not really 'mean' that while their mouths utter those words! Though it might seem to be good etiquette, it is okay not to say 'thank you' all the time. But when you say that, you should really mean it. The same way, the word 'sorry' is also used most of the time, just casually. They would not carefully tread on the path before they firmly bang on your feet. But they will simply utter the word 'sorry' nonchalantly and keep on moving. What does it serve....? Some people use sarcastic remarks either ...

The other day, I was in the cabin of a bank manager, to get some work done. A man (whom I have seen occasionally) in my neighborhood, walked in briskly and had a few minutes chat with the manager. Then he went to a counter and attended to his business. He looked my age (or may be slightly younger....!). The bank manager then surprised me by saying that 'he is a lawyer and practicing still'. I asked 'what of it?' He then told me that 'he is 85 years old....'! I was really taken by surprise. I used to pride myself for being able to move around normally at this age(?).... (let us keep it a secret for now, okay). Compared to the lawyer's agility, I am nothing. I was left with no alternative but to compare with that young(!) man..... At that point, I decided to indulge in regular walking and some physical exertion.  Here the comparison actually helped me to better myself. 'See the marks scored by Mohan, our neighbor's son. He is also studying in your s...