There are things that give away the fact that I am Indian, even before I say or do something. It amuses me that I am so obvious. It also annoys me that I am so obvious, there has to be some surprise to being me, shouldnt there? Here's a list of things I do and some of my Desi friends think I should do different. I've lived here thirteen years.
1. I still wear the Bindi, Mangalsutra(the black beaded chain that says I am married), toe rings and churidaars as long as the weather is not cold.
2. I still like the pressure cooker and the typical Kadai, so I end up bringing utensils back from my India Trip.
3. I still use the broom Indian style, its the most comfortable for me.
4. I still hand wash stuff and hang them on the clothes hanger to dry when the sun is out.
5. I still oil my hair before washing it.
6. I still make typical Indian breakfast instead of reaching for cereal boxes.
7. I still tend to nod my head when I mean Yes or No. I also speak in an Indian accent, it hasnt changed yet.
8. I still have difficulty addressing someone I know is older than I am, by Name. or someone in the Position of Teacher by Name.
9. I like listening to Desi songs(usually in Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam or Punjabi) more than the English ones. I enjoy instrumentals and classical no matter where they are from.
Watch this..and if you are Desi, its a good thing to ponder on.
Heres the link for those who cant watch here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2lPniSsFxs&feature=player_embedded
Enjoy. Have a wonderful Day
Peace.
18 comments:
#8 - me too. We were taught to respect authority and people with more experience than us.
can you please give me the link...otherwise i willnot be able to watch it...
I think it is a blessing for you to be ''that Indian'' even if you live in the USA keeping your culture is important, it is very nice that you are proud of it...i wonder what is a typical indian breakfeast?
I like the way you are...
I am always uncomfortable speaking english because i do not know how to use the terms to show respect...in french we use the vous and not the tu for older people or people we do not know much both words are translated by ''you'' in english...
I don't see anything wrong with any of these things, some are rather endearing and guess what people would maybe know you were Indian even if you didn't do any of these things...I am half Italian and people guess that fact every now and then...not sure if it's my physicall features or manerisms?
But I love it when they ask, I just love it!
Where I live we say Mr. or Miss for anyone older than ourselves i.e. my grandson's friends would call me Miss Danette...it's a southern thing...
Now tell me about the broom thing? This one I didn't get...
I loved that video...especially the head bobbing at the end...
My daughter, grandson and myself use hot sauce on everything, we can eat hot hot hot food, before my ulcers I would eat jalepenos straight from the jar...but there was this one Indian place in Miami...well they should have put kleenex on the table coz my eyes were teary the food was so HOT!
i've been here 16 years, lol and i'm guilty of #'s 1,2,3,6,8,9.
in the case of 1 it's just limited to wearing desi clothes at home (shalwar kameez, sometimes saree)
the other very indian things i do:
1) make traditional food on festival days, no matter what. sometimes it's the only thing that reminds u of home.
2) mop the kitchen floor the indian way, lol... i just don't trust the swiffer or the american mop
3) do the dishes by hand... i cannot bring myself to use the dishwasher unless i've hosted a large dinner party
loved the video, great find!!
I knew you would get it...
Typical Indian Breakfast would depend on which part of India you are from.. I am from the South so it would be Idli-a steam cake either made from rice and lentil or from semolina, served with coconut chutney Or Dosa- pancakes made with rice and lentils, served with coconut chutney, Upma- a dish made from semolina, sometimes rice congee/gruel, chappathis with veges, or Roti, flat bread made from rice and served with stew or chutneys
At school it used to be Sir or Madam or Ma'm for respect.. Here the term seems to make everyone uncomfortable.
Its usually made from plant material and is held in one hand. Sweeping is done, bending from the waist or sitting on your haunches. Theres pictures here
http://www.mexicowoods.com/archive1/page10/files/page10_blog_entry587_1.jpg
http://www.mexicowoods.com/archive1/page10/files/page10_blog_entry587_1.jpg
I usually prepare spicy food. I have had to compromise on heat with the children. Yes, runny noses, teary eyes and sometimes sweating are all part of the chili experience :P.
LOL, now you remind me, I do the 2 and 3, 1 is usually the norm everyday.
well i do cook indian at home most of the time, but i meant festival food...
like, i recently made rava laddoo, shrikhand poori, uppu seedai, bisi bele huli anna, chakli, etc.
to me, it's important to hang on to culinary traditions just as much as the other stuff. buying readymade stuff from rajbhog sweets just doesn't cut it for me!
ok now I know what it is...those are better brooms, much better
Thank you :).
Best way, retain what you like of the old and embrace what you love in the new. I bet there's lots of little ways you've changed from being in America too.
why you should change yourselves....so long you dont cause any inconvience to others...
i too find it dificult to address any body older than me, by first name..i never do that...
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