Now no one will let us make coffee on our own. Everytime I even mention to any of our friends that I'm even thinking about making coffee, they immediately offer to come over and make it for us. I wonder why... :) I'm sure our maid, at least, appreciates it...
So, tell me, why aren't Indians used to waiting in line? I mean, I knew this from before, but I still don't understand why there is this difference. For example, today when Liz and I got to work, we stopped to get coffee in the cafeteria. We're standing in line behind the person in front of us, giving a normal (American) distance between us and him. Apparantly, that was too far because some other guy came up and placed himself directly in front of us. Now, this is not the first time that something like this has happened to us, so we weren't too surprised and pushed our way past to our original place in line, but it does make me wonder again what the root cause is. This is also apparant in observing the traffic flow all over the country. For those who don't know, at any red light in India, you stop, and then any vehicle that can will crowd around and past you to fill up any available space-any concept of individual lanes is gone.
In America, this is interpreted as rude behavior, but in India it is accepted behavior. Why this difference? Where does the difference develop from?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
After over 2 years of experience living on the Indian subcontinant, I've grown used to and even enjoy this cultural aspect. I get competitive and play a game with myself to see how "Indian" I can be in order to keep my place in line. I inch forward (as I did in the situation getting coffee today) and if the competition gets fierce enough, I'll even use my elbows to push myself in front of others crowded around. In extreme circumstances, you can be direct and say "excuse me..." with an indignant tone of voice, like women do in Mumbai :-) That usually works for me :-)
ReplyDeleteHey ... this is true indian attitude ... we get what we want... We are born winners and go getters :)(in a good way and in the true spirits) ... "Survival of the fittest" that is what we call it here ;) ... we have been patient all these years - even when the British were around...
ReplyDeleteSo here is what i think ... i get annoyed each time somebody walks in front of me in a line, and when in traffic, too... but its a small place to live in and we've got to accommodate the 1 billion people :)) lets do it ... no hard feelings this is just the beginning and not the end ... keep pushing ur way to success even if its just for a COFFEE :))
winners=spoiled
ReplyDeletethey stop at red lights? man the south is different than the north!
ReplyDeleteWell, Well, Well...Knowing you for quite a while now, i think you are adopting yourself well and handling this culture clash pretty well.
ReplyDeleteTo talk about the differences, well thats the way it is here, may be because we are a over populated country where our resources are not widely or evenly spread. And teh attitude here is " Survival of the fittest" and everybody wants to prove they are the fittest!!!
Its a happy living as long as we don't compare cultures, Cultures are like dads, we cant compare to see who is the best. Its like a conversation between two " I leart all the good things from my dad, Well me too, then may be we both have the same dad!!!"
As long as we don't compare cultures and decide which is the best, its all fine and it is a pleasant living where ever we live.
Cheers!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteBeen reading this blog for the past few weeks.I consider you my American counterpart. I am Indian and I am in America and I felt culture clashes too but I had some really cool American friends who usually explained their side of the story.
The reason why we clamor at queues is because India is not a land of surpluses. We don't believe in safe American distances, if I don't elbow myself into the bus I miss the bus. I go late to work. My manager gets unhappy and there are a million guys who can replace me. The urgency in whatever we do stems from the fear of being obsolete. You will witness a difference in attitude if you visit a five star coffee shop.There wont be too many people in a hurry if they drink 200 rupee coffee's.
Have you ever noticed an Indian in America acting the same way as he does in India? I guess not, and if you have then it is probably an anomaly.
Patience is something Gandhi taught us but his political successors have worn out our patience to a very thin line.
I am not trying to justify that what we do is right, I am just trying to tell you why the guy who went past you in the line wouldn't have felt anything wrong about it.
Yup you're right Lori and it is pretty frustrating. The funny thing to note is the Indians in America follow all the rules here. They wait patiently in lines at the airport, malls etc etc except when they are at Indian social gatherings. It's amazing to see the transformation. It frustrates me to no end. When they are at an Indian gathering out here in the US surrounded by other Indians they follow absolutely no rules..:-( and shove and push their way through. I totally don't get it.
ReplyDeleteOh.. and one more thing. If you ever happen to go to the US embassy in Chennai, you will notice everyone standing in lines, waiting patiently until they are called like they've been doing it all their lives so that they get their visas. What can I say..I guess we're more like roaches. Can adapt ourselves to different environments instantly.
ReplyDeleteYou know what I think you really SUCK !!!! How long have you been in the country, 3 months ???? Well thats no even enough to know your neighbouring street in India. My advise dont be judgemental.....just finish your work and get the hell outta there coz no one really gives a damn about white skin anymore !!!
ReplyDeleteHey and another thing, maybe we are rude, overpopulated, but you know what your mannerisms wont land you a job. SORRY TO SAY THAT YOU MAY BE POLITE & DECENT BUT WE HAVE THE JOBS...SAD IS'NT IT???
ReplyDeleteI guess people here are in a hurry to go to the toilet.That's probably the reason why they try to occupy even the smallest space available in front of you so that they can get there as early as possible.I think you should just let them go,cos am sure you wouldn't want them to dirty the place around you.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why you get offers from people to make coffee for you is because you have narrated a big story about THE MAKING OF COFFEE AT LORI'S HOUSE. Trust me it was like the making of some movie.
Take care.