Perceptions

My first ever visit to a police station. I volunteer at a youth and child helpline and went there recently as a part of our outreach program.I had only seen police stations in movies and TV serials where  policemen are usually shown as rough talking, callous, corrupt characters or buffoons. And so I felt a flutter of apprehension as I entered the place along with a colleague. And it was all there.The lock up, the big notice board with photos of the missing and the history sheeters.The inspector's room. And a bunch of policemen sitting around a table, drinking tea. I had a moment of deja vu. But everything that followed after that was a pleasant surprise. We were asked to sit. We were offered tea. We were listened to with complete attention. They expressed solidarity with us. As the inspector was not there, they gave us his number and asked us to call for an appointment.  I do not know what my experience would have been if I had gone there with a different purpose like lodging an FIR, reporting a crime etc. Or if I was from a less privileged section of society. But it made me realise one thing. That films, TV, newspapers can sometimes give me skewed perceptions of the reality around me. And sometimes these perceptions can colour my thoughts , feelings and behavior without my realising it.