Ok, the other day, the Gujju society here in Singapore had organized an open house Dandiya night event. You know how it is, at these functions right? There are generally five kinds at any such function :
1. The older women, dressed up in the most weird coloured salwars dance to some random Gujju song (well, by dance, I only mean shake their hands with a big gleeful smile (which doesn't always show the teeth, quite simply because they are not there))
2. The middle aged uncles and aunties revealing more than what they ought to (adei, I meant the dance skills);
3. The Settu figures who dance with their male companions (with the age old theory of sema figure with some mokka guy always coming true)
4. The others who cannot dance for nuts
5. The rest, like me, who come there just to do their duty (eat, bird watch, eat and bird watch)
Well actually, I belong to both 4 and 5.
So, here's what happened. My friend and I were busy doing our thing. The caterers served the most yummy (atleast after coming to Singapore) paav bhaaji and gulab jamun (which reminds me of the college canteen). So we were there, minding our own business. My friend finished his two dishes and I turned around, so that he didn't delve into mine. He was just about to wash his hands over the grass (the typical desi style) when I stopped him and gave a bit of gyan about how not to dirty the spot, which is so typical of Indians. Surprisingly, he actually thought it was right too and washed his hand into the box of food. Well, that was ok I suppose.
That's when it happened.
This really well dressed mid-twenties guy, who looked fairly educated and neat (well, appearances are almost always deceptive) goes desi. He washed his hands over the very same spot. What's more, he goggled his mouth with some water and spit it on the ground. I was like, "What the hell" ? But this guy didn't really seem to care.
We Indians always comment that we are not given due respect when abroad and that the foreigners look down upon us. Well, why wouldn't they, when you do such things? That too in Singapore, where caning is still legal. Just because you are in the midst of your clan (rather, herd), you behave this way? EKSI
What's even worse was, when we were leaving, I just turned around and had a look at the venue and its surroundings. What did I see? I needn't answer that.
Come on guys, don't pass the buck on to others. Do it yourself. Rather, don't do it, yourself !
1. The older women, dressed up in the most weird coloured salwars dance to some random Gujju song (well, by dance, I only mean shake their hands with a big gleeful smile (which doesn't always show the teeth, quite simply because they are not there))
2. The middle aged uncles and aunties revealing more than what they ought to (adei, I meant the dance skills);
3. The Settu figures who dance with their male companions (with the age old theory of sema figure with some mokka guy always coming true)
4. The others who cannot dance for nuts
5. The rest, like me, who come there just to do their duty (eat, bird watch, eat and bird watch)
Well actually, I belong to both 4 and 5.
So, here's what happened. My friend and I were busy doing our thing. The caterers served the most yummy (atleast after coming to Singapore) paav bhaaji and gulab jamun (which reminds me of the college canteen). So we were there, minding our own business. My friend finished his two dishes and I turned around, so that he didn't delve into mine. He was just about to wash his hands over the grass (the typical desi style) when I stopped him and gave a bit of gyan about how not to dirty the spot, which is so typical of Indians. Surprisingly, he actually thought it was right too and washed his hand into the box of food. Well, that was ok I suppose.
That's when it happened.
This really well dressed mid-twenties guy, who looked fairly educated and neat (well, appearances are almost always deceptive) goes desi. He washed his hands over the very same spot. What's more, he goggled his mouth with some water and spit it on the ground. I was like, "What the hell" ? But this guy didn't really seem to care.
We Indians always comment that we are not given due respect when abroad and that the foreigners look down upon us. Well, why wouldn't they, when you do such things? That too in Singapore, where caning is still legal. Just because you are in the midst of your clan (rather, herd), you behave this way? EKSI
What's even worse was, when we were leaving, I just turned around and had a look at the venue and its surroundings. What did I see? I needn't answer that.
Come on guys, don't pass the buck on to others. Do it yourself. Rather, don't do it, yourself !
Some inherent practices cant b changed all of a sudden..one has to take personal effort to 'be in the group'....wat 2 do...all in our hands only!!
ReplyDeleteWell that's true. But from someone who actually is educated, and by the looks of it, in Singapore, this is bad
DeleteRather, the external cleanliness?
ReplyDeleteSo true!! There was this lady I saw at Bangalore Airport a couple of years back.. Superbly dressed, beautiful and young.. As soon as she came out of the airport she took a cover out of her bag and threw it on the road and she was all smiles.. Proudly telling her friend how good she felt doing that. Seen a lot of people like this, taking stupid pride in such things. Why would foreigners not look down upon us!!??
ReplyDeleteAnyway, loved the 5 different kinds.. Well written!! :)
Thanks so much :) Yeah, I can totally relate to what you have said. A lot of people derive happiness out of such pointless things
DeleteWell . I feel even in India if one follows the same they can repeat doing it in foreign . With practise the outcome will be natural with no need of advice. Here many spoil taj or any other 7 stars too irrespective of educ or cader . If they do here they can do there too or rather not do :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true Afshan
DeleteAbsolutely true Afshan
DeleteFor the reasons given in your post, Lonely Planet India guide has given a set of guidelines for Indians to follow while abroad. Some of the points in the list are: Not to skip queues, not to talk loudly, not to spit in public places, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe cannot definitely blame anyone for this except our own fellow Indians.
Joy always,
Susan
P. S: A suggestion: You can start a series of posts on being an Indian in Singapore. Would be interesting, for sure.
Oh yes, Susan. I am having that idea in mind :) Will start soon
Delete