English

I understand that English language is an internationally accepted common language for communication. But some times I dont understand the extensive usage of the Gentleman’s language, especially at places where it is not required to be spoken. An incident happened with me today morning when I was waiting for the bus. I’m narrating a communication between me and a lady here.

Lady: (In English), Excuse me, has the bus no. 458 gone already?

Me: (In Marathi) Ajun tari geleli nahi. (Hasn’t gone yet)

Lady: For how long are you waiting here?

Me: Dahaa minitey zali. (About 10 minutes)

Lady: Do you know what time it goes every day?

Me: Mala mahiti nahi. Mi tya bus ne jat nahi. (I dont know. I dont go by that bus)

Lady: (Now in Marathi) Ho ka… mala Borivali la jayche ahe. Dusri kuthli bus jate ka? (Oh, I have to go to Borivali. Any other bus goes there?)

Me: Ho jate na! 700 ani 491 pan Borivali la jatat. Shivay MSRTC chya buses pan aahet. (Yeah, sure they go. Bus no. 700 and 491 also go to Borivali. Besides MSRTC buses are also there)

The conversation continued for couple of more lines on where she wanted to go in Borivali and where I was going. But that is not important. It took me just 3 lines to drive my point, and that too without saying it. From her look I could make out that she was a Marathi lady. So I started the conversation in Marathi. And I kept answering in Marathi till she gave up on English. I was smartly dressed (in formal attire) and had a laptop bag in my hand. May be that is why the conversation started in the international language. But we were standing on a bus stop in a remote location in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The default language of communication had to be Marathi or Hindi.

Why English?