India's Culture: Welcome to Delhi
Subject: Leslie has landed--first impressions of India's cultureTo: Family or Friends Date: Sunday, August 3, 10:38:27 PM I am at the centre in India. It is pretty cool. They are discussing American slang: "going postal," "slam dunk," "I'll take a rain check." It is amusing. See the picture below, "Welcome to Wimpy." It is the sign at the door of the cafe at work. I found it amusing since wimpy means "weak" in American slang. Do you suppose that means that the food is weak, or that they serve wilted greens? Words take on a new meaning in a different culture. India is a crazy place--even after my other travels, I'll admit I've been surprised a few times. Like I knew that cows wandered around, but I figured they had someone shepherding them around. Naw, just groups of cows wandering around in the streets, sometimes lying on the road, or eating the grass in the medians. Yeah, that was different. No one seems to own them. I’ve also been surprised by seeing people using the bathroom next to the road. Men. Not children or anything. Grown men, peeing or squatting by the road. Now that was different.
The whole bathroom thing is different, too. They don't like to use toilet paper, at least that is what it says in the culture guide books, preferring instead to spray water on themselves. Not quite sure how that works... but it means the floor is sometimes wet in the bathroom. Whoa, dude! Anyway, those are my first reactions.
Related Stories Introduction to India blog India's Culture: Welcome to Delhi Holy Cow, What Happens When One Dies? More Cow Tales Good Clean Bathroom Humor Paint a Picture of Road Traffic Safety in India Call Centers in India: Am I Talking to … Myself? No water? India’s Dilemma. Power out? No biggie. Indian Clothing Here and There Indian Music: Singing Songs and Swimming Swamp Favorite India blogs: Whatever You Do, Don’t Spoil Your Car Explore the Taj Mahal in a Unique Way Poverty in India: A little TV tonight? Your tarp or mine? Sweet Shops
Return from India's Culture to Language Lore
Return to Your Language Guide home
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
|