Are we, Bangladeshis, the master of shortcuts?

Bangladeshis have mastered the art of shortcuts while traversing busy roads. Photo: TBS

In a recent viral photo, a man was seen crawling through a narrow gap in the central reservation to cross the busy Dhaka-Aricha highway. Surprisingly, just 60 metres away, a footbridge was available for use. Yet, like this man, many pedestrians chose the risky shortcut of jaywalking. This situation is a vivid metaphor for how we, as a society, often tackle challenges by taking shortcuts.

During a recent trip to Natore and Bogura, I encountered a similar phenomenon: makeshift sandbag steps placed on both sides of a towering central reservation, allowing pedestrians to climb over and cross the highway. The message was clear—when faced with obstacles, we lack systemic solutions and instead improvise shortcuts around them.

At their core, shortcuts offer convenience. They promise quicker routes, faster results, and immediate gratification. However, when shortcuts become a way of life—an everyday norm rather than an exception—they reveal deeper cultural and systemic issues.

Bangladeshis have mastered the art of shortcuts—darting across busy roads and manoeuvring through bureaucratic red tape. But at what cost?

Take a stroll down any street, and you'll witness vehicles of all types—cars, rickshaws, motorcycles, and even Bangla Teslas—recklessly driving against the flow of traffic to shave off a few precious minutes. This flagrant disregard for rules often reflects a broader national mindset: we prioritise short-term gains over long-term discipline.

The fallout? Chaos, accidents, and a pervasive culture of impunity.

While complaining when someone else's shortcut endangers us, we seldom reflect on our behaviour when seeking the quickest escape.

This inclination seeps beyond our roads. Bribery has become an all-too-acceptable way of fast-tracking everything from obtaining a driving licence without a test to bypassing bureaucratic hurdles. For many, these transactions seem like a "win-win"—but at what cost?

Ironically, we only voice discontent when corruption or inefficiency inconveniences us personally. The hypocrisy is evident, yet the cycle continues, driven by a lack of trust in systems and the belief that "this is how things work."

Bangladesh's tendency to take shortcuts can be traced back to its socio-economic landscape. With a population exceeding 160 million and a rapidly growing economy, the pressure to achieve quick results is palpable. This urgency can lead to innovative solutions and creative problem-solving. Still, it also fosters a tendency to bypass established processes.

We have normalised shortcuts in many ways. From education to business to governance, the mentality of circumventing systems has permeated our society. Students cheat on exams and wait for leaked questions to secure good grades.

Entrepreneurs cut corners by skipping quality checks, avoiding taxes, or exploiting workers to maximise profits with minimal effort. Public officials often prioritise self-interest over genuine public service. The overarching ethos is: if it works for me, why change?

While these practices may seem convenient, their cumulative cost is staggering.

Shortcuts undermine the rule of law, erode public trust in institutions, and compromise safety and quality standards. When vehicles ignore traffic rules, roads become more hazardous. When construction codes are disregarded, buildings risk collapsing. Corruption, justifying itself as necessary for "getting things done," perpetuates inequality and inefficiency.

Moreover, this mentality stifles innovation and progress. True advancement requires patience, discipline, and a commitment to systemic reform—qualities that often conflict with a shortcut mentality.

If we genuinely want to move forward as a nation, we must reassess our dependence on shortcuts. Change begins with individuals. Following traffic rules, refusing to pay or accept bribes, and holding institutions accountable are small but meaningful steps. Equally important is fostering a culture of discipline and long-term thinking, starting in schools and extending to workplaces and governance.

We need to advocate for systemic solutions that address the root of our problems instead of merely patching them up. Well-designed pedestrian crossings, efficient public services, and transparent governance can significantly diminish the allure of shortcuts.

As Bangladesh progresses on its journey of growth and development, the culture of shortcuts presents challenges and opportunities. By addressing the root causes and nurturing a mindset that values integrity over expedience, we can transition from being masters of shortcuts to masters of sustainable progress.

The question is, are we ready to embrace the longer road? It may not be the easiest path, but it leads to lasting success.

Shafiq R Bhuiyan is the Vice President of Communication and CSR at BRAC Bank PLC.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.