February 1, 2025

Traveling is something I absolutely love, not just because I get to explore new places but also because it allows me to relax and escape from household chores like washing, cleaning, and cooking. However, this passion of mine has been quite heavy on my husband's pocket. I often end up choosing exotic destinations that fall into a higher price bracket, and my husband, wanting to keep me happy, never has the heart to say no.

About a month ago, we decided to visit an upscale resort that had been the talk of the town. I had been eyeing this place for years, and when the prices finally dropped slightly, my husband surprised me by booking a stay. My happiness and excitement were beyond words—I knew this trip would be one of the most memorable holidays of my life.

On a designated day, we embarked on a journey of about six hours to reach this beautiful destination. True to its reputation, it was mesmerizing. Everything—from the warm reception to the well-appointed rooms, exceptional service, and the enchanting surroundings—was simply fabulous. The experience truly made me feel like royalty.

After spending a wonderful time exploring the property and indulging in the spa, we decided to enjoy dinner. However, as soon as we entered the restaurant, I noticed a slight commotion. A man, likely in his late 40s, accompanied by a woman and two young girls, was yelling at the manager and a few stewards. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but my curiosity got the better of me. I quickly chose a seat close to theirs, hoping to overhear the conversation. Don’t laugh at me—I’m a woman, and yes, I’m naturally curious!

The man was yelling at the top of his voice, oblivious to the fact that many people were watching him intently. He kept demanding, repeatedly asking, “Who is she to say that?”—referring to the waitress nearby. His anger was directed at her, insisting she be removed immediately.

Despite repeated apologies from the manager and staff, he remained steadfast in his anger. In frustration, he shoved a chair aside and stormed towards another table. The woman with him followed quickly, speaking to him in a low, calming voice.

Curious about the commotion, I inquired about what had transpired. I learned that the waitress had informed the woman not to sit at a particular table, as it was reserved for another family, and suggested they take the next available table. This seemingly minor incident had offended the woman, who then complained to the man, sparking the heated altercation.

After a couple of minutes, the manager approached the man again, who was seated with the woman. He spoke with them for a few moments, then brought over the waitress. By this time, the waitress was in tears, clearly overwhelmed and fearful.

A short while later, we saw the waitress with folded hands, pleading with the man and woman, apologizing profusely, and begging for their forgiveness. After much pleading, the man finally relented, and the situation seemed to de-escalate.

As the waitress, the manager, and others moved away from the table, the woman smiled warmly, kissed the man, and applauded him. Both appeared to revel in a shared sense of satisfaction and delight at what had transpired.

Witnessing the entire incident was deeply upsetting, not just for me but likely for most people around. The waitress was simply doing her job, and while she may have made a mistake, the way she was treated was entirely unjustified. The man and the woman accompanying him had no right to publicly insult her in front of so many people.

What was particularly disturbing was the attitude of the woman. As a fellow woman, she could have stepped in to de-escalate the situation and discourage the man's rude behaviour toward another woman. Instead, she seemed to encourage him and even appeared to take sadistic pleasure in what transpired.

The little girls with them likely absorbed a very negative lesson from this encounter. It’s disheartening to think about the kind of example this behaviour set for them.

Moreover, the resort staff should have stood by their employee, the waitress, in such a moment. Instead, in an apparent effort to appease their guests, they allowed their staff member to be humiliated, which was truly disappointing.

The rest of the evening, I couldn’t stop thinking about the whole incident. Two quotes circulating on the internet crossed my mind. Firstly, “A woman is another woman’s enemy,” and secondly, “Be loyal to the job but not the employer.” Both quotes seemed to resonate deeply with the situation I experienced. In the first case, a woman found sadistic pleasure in demeaning another woman, proving to be her enemy. It’s disheartening how often such dynamics play out, where instead of uplifting one another, some choose to tear others down. In the second case, the employer, who has a responsibility to uphold the dignity of their employees, failed miserably. This lack of support underscored the harsh truth behind the second quote.

Though the place itself was beautiful, and I had genuinely loved being there, this one incident left an unerasable mark on my memory. It’s remarkable how a single experience can tarnish an otherwise pleasant setting.

"I just hope the man realizes that pleasing one woman does not justify demeaning another. Similarly, the woman should understand that if a man can disrespect a vulnerable woman, he could do the same to her someday. Disrespecting a woman and causing her to shed tears is one of the gravest offenses, regardless of the mistake involved. Moreover, employers should recognize that their employees are human too, deserving respect and dignity in all circumstances."

From the archives:

• The Egg Puff
• Mom’s Sweet Revenge
• Beyond Wheels, Bound by Love
• To my Angel sons in Heaven - A letter on Father's Day
• An Unspoken Vow
• An Honest Reply by a Husband
• The Dried Flowers
• Have You
• Pretty, Once Again
• Their Love
• She Taught Me to Pray
• You are Worthy
• Short story: The Saree Affair
• It’s not Your Fault
• Every Single Day
• With Love: To the Ones who Deserve all our Love
• Story after Marriage: With a Drizzle of Coconut Oil and Lots of Pepper
• Papa, You are My Hero
• Mom, I Love You
• Corona - When it's All Gone
• Surprised by the Surprise
• Love, What is it?
• Growth Sandals
• Home Maker?
• Yes. I am Not Pregnant.
• Marriage: Good or Bad?
• Suffering in Silence
• Mother's Love