What is ‘Custom’ and ‘Habit’?

IELTS series-6

Beware IELTsians: 

It was a compact air-conditioned room with dim lights and cool air.

The interviewers welcomed me with artificial smiles.

“Please ...take your seat. Why are you sweating...Take some water.” The lady in the middle said in a soft tone. I could not talk. I nodded and tried to appear comfortable but in vain.

Suddenly I remembered that I did not even make the customary greetings of saying ‘Good morning’. I felt sad for me.

‘Tell me about your habits which other people don’t like?” The third man came with a salvo.

What is there to tell about my habits? Everybody in my home scold me for continuously watching television or reading novels, even when there is an examination next day.

“...I do not have any such habit that people criticize about.” This unexpected sudden spurt of a lie from my mouth emboldened my posture and I felt like managing the interview satisfactorily. After all ... we, people like me, need a small first success! It is the spring board of further launch of successive wins.

“What is the relationship between habit and custom?”

I believed firmly that I was going to manage this missile too. “Yes ...sir....habits become customs. The seed is habit and the plant is custom.” First time, a smile crossed my dry lips.

It was a wonderful feeling at that time. I strongly believe that you might have also felt like that if you started confidently replying for the future-job.

At home, I tried to analyze the words ‘habit and custom’, because it is always my practice to probe things. (Effect of detective novels and films) Next time I should be clear about these things and should not manage things. Don’t you feel so?

HABIT:

Habit is something a person often does unconsciously...so naturally that it is part of his personality.

EX.:Ramesh kumar bunks his college whenever a new film is released.

 Custom:

 Customs are practices of a certain group, sect, religion or people belonging to a certain ethnicity.

  EX.:1.Indians say ‘namasthe’ whenever they meet each other.(instead of ‘good morning’)

         2. People decorate Christmas trees with lights during Christmas Eve.

So, let us be careful in understanding ‘custom or habit’ and their usage in IELTS examination or in other examinations. Be sure. There should be no confusion! 

If you get confused, it may become your habit. Beware!