Mistaken Identity

                                          Mistaken Identity

I was on my routine evening walk. I saw someone familiar walking a little ahead of me. I increased my pace, caught up with him and gently tapped on his shoulder. He turned back, looked a little bewildered and perhaps also a little annoyed. He wasn’t anyone I knew; I mumbled a few words of apology, explaining the misunderstanding. It was a case of mistaken identity, looking at a person from his back!

 Another day, I was walking. It was my turn to be mistaken by a stranger who similarly tapped on me and said, “Hello”. We excused ourselves and departed politely.  There is belief that there would be seven identical persons for anyone alive. How far this is true, I don’t know. But quite a few times someone or the other tells me I resemble (not just resemble but almost identical to be mistaken) someone known to them. I have also seen people pointing to me in their conversation and conveying more or less the same idea of my being identical to somebody they know.

 The other day I was coming out the bank after drawing some cash. Someone tapped me from behind; he was a stranger, I got alerted quickly, guessed what he was up to and immediately secured my pant pockets by placing my hands firmly over there and shouting. Some passers by came to my rescue and I was greatly relieved.   This is a case of purposefully ‘mistaking’ someone!

 This evening, as I was walking, some street dogs looked unkindly towards me. I was carrying my ‘Jolna’ bag which perhaps gave them an idea that I am a rag picker! Some how one dog was successful in sharing and spreading his doubt with his friends and they started barking and howling. If it is one dog you can pretend to pick up a stone and throw at him. The trick won’t work when there are many. The more you exhibit fear, the more they would chase and harass you. It is a complicated issue if the street is almost empty. It is in such circumstances that carrying a walking stick is useful. This is another case of mistaken identity, fearful one, to narrate!

 I understand that ‘mistaken identity’ has some special meaning for legal professionals. Let me not tread into unknown areas.

 Have you had similar experiences? How did you handle them? Let’s share.

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