I inquired from a friend who recently made it to Addis Abeba what observation sticks out to her during a recent meet-up.

Coming from a part of the world with steady weather, she was caught off guard with the erratic oscillation from sunny to cloudy and windy to rainy days.

Further observations were compounded by debris from construction sites where loose items were left unattended. She cited that these are major safety hazards and obstructions to pedestrians.

It is unfortunate but accurate.

In a rapidly growing city where a lot of construction is underway at any given time, not all sites are properly managed, and remains are often left unattended.

It is concerning to see dismal consequences for institutions that leave manholes exposed to the public where many have sustained injuries and it is possible that there have even been fatalities due to the depth.

My friend remarked that people are preoccupied with making ends meet while concern for common good, sense of moral duty and justice had taken a back seat. She confided that the caring and considerate populace she knew back then seemed from a bygone era.

Her honest observation validated what I felt for quite some time. I tried to fathom the underlying issues which are emblematic of deeply rooted problems; from imprudence to the rule of law and apathy.

Our conversation underscored that individualism has become increasingly prevalent in a society where unpredictability is not limited to the weather but people's behaviour.

It was alarming to learn that intolerance to different opinions and radically extreme, unvalidated views about issues and current affairs is observed by both of us.

Apart from individualism, established institutions to ensure the smooth flow of life matters are susceptible to a predominant sense of insensitivity to others.

While in a prolonged search for a prescription that was out of stock in a state pharmacy recently, I was fortunate enough to find it at a private institution. However, my relief was short-lived when I discovered that the selling price was eightfold higher than the state pharmacy.

Shocked and bewildered, I reconfirmed the price, only to be assured with a kind smile that I got the best deal. I had to grapple with the obscenely exaggerated price when the pharmacist further claimed that he was doing me a favour by selling me the medicine since he had saved it for someone else.

I could not believe the justification and did not know whether to laugh or be angry. Had this scenario been in a comedy movie or sitcom, I would have burst out laughing. But when it happened to me, I felt powerless and compelled.

I chose to accept his distorted version of reality as I needed the medicine urgently. I purchased it and even thanked him on my way out.

The unscrupulous pharmacist had a history of exploiting patients in need of his assistance to line his pockets with ill-gotten gains. It may be foolish to wonder whether he sleeps soundly at night, but judging from his demeanour, I suppose he does.