The Tim's experiment
Diving into another universe
The other day I needed to pass time while my car was recharging so I went into a Tim Hortons. The minute I stepped inside I felt like I was pulled into an alternate universe. It smelled of stale coffee and humidity, sugar and sweat, cigarette smoke and despair. The floors who were originally beige were now leaning on a gray-brownish color and the walls had definitely seen better days.
All the people who were there seemed to belong in some way. I felt like an alien. Some students were hanging around their empty coffee cups, talking about boys while checking their phones every two minutes. A delivery guy was waiting impatiently for his order. The man standing after me in line was counting and recounting his loose change to make sure that he had enough to buy a cup of coffee.
I finally ordered something that cost 1,40$ and the cashier looked at my 20$ like it was a 100$ bill, because she didn’t seem to have enough change. I could see she was tired of dealing with people all day and the group before me had almost exhausted all her fuel.
A group of three was sitting close to my table and they were talking about their life problems while munching on a dozen of donuts. I was listening to them, while trying to read my book, when it finally dawn on me why I felt like an alien : I’m very very privileged.
Of course, I know that I am. After all, I have a bachelor degree, a quite decent salary from my consulting business, a house, plenty of food for the family, vacation time and the means to take it elsewhere in the world. But all those arguments happen from an intellectual point of view.
When I was there, sitting on my uncomfortable seat and looking around me I felt it. It gave me weird mixed feelings. I felt guilty for being there waiting for my electric car to recharge while the guy beside me could barely afford a coffee. I felt gratitude towards my parents who set up the environment for me to thrive and get a higher education. I felt compassion towards all those fellow humans who are just trying to make the most of this life’s experience.
Knowing something from your head is one thing, but living it gives you innerstanding. Experiencing life with all your senses, even when it’s uncomfortable, is the best way to get a deeper knowledge of your circumstances.
What I found interesting in this situation was that at first, I refused to acknowledge that I was different. But being different doesn’t mean better or worse, it just means that my life experience has clearly been easier from a socio-economic standpoint. I am privileged. That’s a fact. Even if in this context it made me uncomfortable doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t acknowledge that.
We talk a lot about inclusion lately and I feel very strongly about that subject because for me every human is equal in rights. But we would be very hypocritical to say that we are all equal in privileges. If we really want to implement a more inclusive society we have to acknowledge that first. Not feel guilty about it (although it might be hard at first) but just feel it. Look around you : what do you see, smell, hear, touch?
Go in a Tim Hortons in another part of the city. Is it different? What have you learned about yourself? Has is changed your perspective?
