Take the Hint: I May Need Your Aid

In daily drives through a vast residential and work community, I have had several opportunities to take life lessons in psychology, mind reading, and gesture education.

At any instance you will likely meet at least three categories of pedestrians. First, are those who have stopped outrightly on a spot by the road, waiting on the benevolence of drivers by for a ride to a desired destination. Such folks wait on the side of traffic towards the end point they hope to arrive at.

Sometimes, these pedestrians may wave you down vigorously or just give a hopeful look into your vehicle to spy on passenger room. If you dare drive by this category of pedestrians without waiting to help,  you may get that look that says: "You are not considerate at all, don't you know I had been waiting here for a bit".

Next is the second class of pedestrians who have started walking along the way towards their anticipated destination. Nevertheless, while walking along they tend to keep ears and skins sensitive to the breeze of a possible car ride. This pedestrian category will likely give a vehicle driving by that side look that says: "I am available for a ride if you will be kind enough to stop, but I am not waiting entirely on your benevolence to make progress towards my destination."

Yet there is another class of pedestrians who have determined neither to wait nor beg a ride,  and so they demonstrate insensitivity to any possible benevolent gestures by drivers by. This third category of pedestrians have chosen to walk, are occupying their path and crying out for no rescue. Such pedestrians may even have earphones on playing music or books, or get busy doing something on their device during the walk. 

The wise among the third category of pedestrians keep their eyes and ears alert on the road, in order to guard against careless drivers while drinking in refreshing lessons from nature. Even if a ride stops unsolicited, some may politely wave such off with a kind smile that says "I appreciate your benevolence, but I am content with this walk of mine". Others  who may not want to offend can take the unsolicited ride gladly and build a social connection with the kind stranger.

Similarly, in the long trek towards development and economic security, the three pedestrian categories described can be observed. The first category are aid-dependent countries and peoples who wait on foreign assistance and ideas to facilitate their domestic progress. This group have symptomatic characteristics of those I may describe as lazy economies.

The second category of countries taking the development walk have  started on their way, but, they constantly look out for any and every assistance that may come along. By doing so, they may lose time getting distracted by seeking foreign assistance that may not fit or sustain. Many developing economies may fall into this category.

To my mind, the third category of countries have conducted a sound diagnostic assessment of their status quo (and SWOT analysis), mapped out a winning development strategy and are taking steps towards their goal of sustainable development. While creating current development paths by walking, these countries also learn from history so they can avoid pitfalls, replicate success and maintain sustainable development trajectories. 

Living with a perspective of self-reliance, the third category of  countries do not wait on foreign assistance to startup their development. They tend to be emerging economies, harnessing all resources to generate growth and development that is self-sustaining.

Which category of pedestrian on a development walk would you care to give a ride?

Photo credit: OECD