Friday, June 1, 2007
Customs
This morning, I saw more of the temples. Lovely! Despite the 43+ heat! (That's more than 110. ouch). But this afternoon, Rakesh was hung over, so he sent his friend Rajesh to take me on a tour to some waterfalls. But I have managed to anger Rajesh at least three times -- for explaining that Americans do not hold hands or let people rest their heads in their laps unless they are a couple; for insisting that we return to town before dark (bad roads + trucks + cows = accidents); and now, for being tired and wanting to go home and not eat at his sister's house. Just call me the ugly American I guess. Sigh. I'm trying to be a good traveler -- but I'm not going to abandon my culture overnight. (And I haven't seen Indian boys and girls holding hands, either.)
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5 comments:
i dont know much abt rajesh but u did the rit thing coz as per indian culture u'll find married couple holding their hands and walking down the street....Andy
Best to avoid any public touching with the opposite sex if for no other reason than to avoid an international incident of Richard Gere proportions.
Oh, and I just figured out what I'm getting you for your birthday in October. It has nothing to do with India and is so funny I've cracked myself up. See what you get for sending me a birthday card that I'm not allowed to open for over a month! Let that burn in the pit of your stomach.
sounds like you need to teach rajesh the american mantra... "No means No!"
ha! thanks for the local advice, Andy, and the international perspective, Michelle and Shanley. I knew I could trust my gut -- even if my tummy doesn't love Indian food as much as I do!
[in my best John Wayne drawl...]
"well little lady, seems we might have to teach the young'n some manners, I recon"
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