When we met my German friend in Pune, he explained so many things to Jenny. Living in India for 8 years had helped him understand us in a new perspective.
He said "Jenny, this is not a country which can ever be taken at face value. It is full of customs, traditions, religions, sentiments... you have to constantly feel the fabric when you talk to someone or he/she talks to you. There is always a complex way of doing things and that's what the Indians will do."
It got me thinking. And made me realise how true that is.
Let me explain to you what I mean. Here is a simple enough incident. Out of politeness, let us say you go to visit an aunt who you're not too fond of, but must pay your respects to.
In Europe, you would simply not go, if you did not like her. Complication number 1. You don't like her, but must go to her house to see her.
Glossary: What is said.
(What is being thought)
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Welcome. Come inside. (
What are you doing here?)
Hello Aunty, how are you? (
As if I really care)
Come sit, sit, what will you have? Would you like some tea?
No, no thank you. (
I am dying to have tea)
No, no you MUST have something (
I don't really want you to have anything)
No aunty, thanks a lot I just had tea (
14 hours ago, she is forcing me to have tea, what a nice lady, not so bad after all eh? Very hospitable, insisting to have tea, even though I said nothing doing)
OK wait here, I will make tea.
Thank you Aunty. (
She gave tea with a lot of biscuits in a plate, did not even ask if I wanted them.)
Have a biscuit (
I opened that whole packet for you and they will get soft now)
No No aunty, thank you (
Yuck I hate those biscuits)
No you have to have some, Beta. *Lifting and offering plate*
Thank you. (
What a nice aunty,
she is forcing me)
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We're a nation full of complex people. At work, a YES doesn't mean a yes. It depends on how the yes is said. We want money, but it is rude to ask for a salary increment, we pretend that our family needs money, not us.
We invite people we hate to our weddings and pay for their dinner and alcohol. Because we must.
We are often introduced to guests at our wedding!!
The bride is sometimes introduced to the groom at the wedding.
We are a complex people that are full of customs and traditions and complicated ways of handling issues.
Some 40 year old hands over his salary to his mother and waits for his allowance. Some husbands & wives have never called each other by their first names.
We have a different name for every relation. We call all our friends parents Uncle and Aunty, we call everyone's grandparents like our own. The guy who sells chips in the shop down the street is "Uncle".
How is
Nanaji?
Whose? Yours or mine? lol
In Europe they are straight-forward.
Would you like lunch? No? Fine.
I don't like him, so I won't invite him to my wedding.
200 people at a wedding!!
are you crazy?
Uncle, Aunt, Grandpa, Grandma. Ho gaya.
Not Uncleji, Auntyji, mamaji, Tau, Chacha, Kakaji, Chachi, Mami, Bhabhi, Dewar, Jijajee, Dada, Nani, Fui, Buaji, Bade papa, chotee mami, Bhatija, bhanjee, Daddyji, benaras-wali behenjee.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by hydrashok Write on, TheCouple(R)! ![Smile](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.png) |
TheCouple®. Now there's a nice name.
Agra was one of the most interesting chapters in our tale. Also the place where we had our first incident.
But that will happen later in the day. I cannot and will not get ahead of Jenny, I know what's good for me.
![Smile](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.png)