The big fat Indian weddings! If one were to describe the social discipline of affluent Indians, these four words would be enough to describe the segment. Loud and flamboyant – that’s what we Indians are often perceived by the outside world. Unruly is the word that captures the essence.

Let’s pause and reflect. There are a few points to note about the stereotypical behavioural spectrum that sums up us Indians. Spitting out of the window of a luxury car is a common occurrence on Indian roads. Starting from the rich down to people below the poverty line, if one habit were to stand for the whole of India, it would be that of indiscriminate spitting without a care for the location. It is a health threat that nobody seems to mind. And then there is the herd mentality and the rumour mongering. But there is one positive that washes out all of it and that is the willingness to join hands in times of a crisis.

Such a stereotype, in any form, acts as a marker or as an indicator of a national trait. For example, when we talk about the Japanese the stereotype is reflected in their discipline, punctuality and complete obeisance to societal rules. Their cleanliness is legendary and they are brought up to follow rules to a fault. Indians are opposites. At least, that is how the impression goes.

Is the lockdown tempering the unlikeable social traits that we Indians are known by? It’s difficult to say with certainty. One cannot change entrenched and shocking traits of a society but the threat of death has a way with people. From ration shops to airports we are known to jump queues or try to do so sneakily. But the call for social or physical distancing has made the queue an orderly line, with people keeping gaps in the front and back. We have never been known as a great respecter of an individual’s personal space but the coronavirus lockdown has made us realise that breathing down the neck of the person ahead carries a personal health risk besides being a threat to the other person’s right to keep his position in the queue.

Being socially responsible starts with the realisation that breaking a rule might hurt you more in the long run. With lockdown and the attendant message that is being driven in is about trying to protect oneself from the dreaded coronavirus affliction. A new social rule is taking root. Keep a physical distance from others to keep the coronavirus from spreading.

We are slowly learning to follow rules. If it embeds into our social DNA along with the existing trend of helping our neighbours, we could give a run even to the Japanese for their yen.

Even if the lockdown is lifted, the threat of the coronavirus may not. And we would need to discipline ourselves into behaving the way we are behaving in the lockdown imposed by the government.

Let us retain our fame for that fat Indian wedding without being pompous. Let this lockdown make us socially more responsible.