In India there are a few activities that are completely acceptable for men that we would probably not see much of in the states. I am not saying you wouldn't see it, just probably not as often as you would see it here.
Here are a few:
1. wearing pink
2. driving a pink scooter or motorcycle
3. taking pictures of each other striking poses near trees
-this was one of my favorites. We came upon a group of 5 men in their late 20's. One was lounging casually against a tree and the other 4 were all snapping pictures with their phones. In the states if you had come upon this group they all would have had embarrassed smiles while pretending to do something else. Here a few smiled and waved and went back to business while some were too engrossed in what they were doing to pay any attention to us.
4. walking down the street holding hands or pinky fingers with your best friend (who is also male)
5. stare at whatever you want. This really applies to the women as well, we just see way more men doing it. See Ben's blog at www.population6.blogspot.com if you want to see us getting stared at.
6. Grab some white lady's baby (even if the baby is screaming and doesn't want to be a part of it) and take your picture with said screaming baby
Now, I say these things in good fun with a smile on my face, but I hope you know that I really enjoy these things as part of Indian culture. All week long I have been getting stared and giggled at, and I know my ways are equally puzzling and cause for giggles as mine are to them. The truth is, I have no idea what I am doing that is so funny, but everyone around me is definately in on some kind of inside joke that I am not understanding.
For example, today I was walking home from getting groceries when I noticed that I was being video taped by a group of girls who were cracking up on a bus just in front of me. I have NO idea what was so hysterical, but I am certain there is a you-tube video somewhere of me walking through the parking lot with Samantha and Zoe. I know what you are thinking, I probably had a huge hole in my shirt or something on my face. I didn't, trust me-I checked when I got home. However, I did have Zoe in the Ergo (kind of like a backpack for putting your kids in.) I know this is unusual here because I never see other people wearing them and whenever I wear mine I get lots of extra stares and smiles.
So hopefully you will read my musings knowing that I have very high regard for Indian Culture. There is so much I love here! However, there are some things that are so different that I have to comment for those who can't see for themselves.
Happy November!
Here are a few:
1. wearing pink
2. driving a pink scooter or motorcycle
3. taking pictures of each other striking poses near trees
-this was one of my favorites. We came upon a group of 5 men in their late 20's. One was lounging casually against a tree and the other 4 were all snapping pictures with their phones. In the states if you had come upon this group they all would have had embarrassed smiles while pretending to do something else. Here a few smiled and waved and went back to business while some were too engrossed in what they were doing to pay any attention to us.
4. walking down the street holding hands or pinky fingers with your best friend (who is also male)
5. stare at whatever you want. This really applies to the women as well, we just see way more men doing it. See Ben's blog at www.population6.blogspot.com if you want to see us getting stared at.
6. Grab some white lady's baby (even if the baby is screaming and doesn't want to be a part of it) and take your picture with said screaming baby
Now, I say these things in good fun with a smile on my face, but I hope you know that I really enjoy these things as part of Indian culture. All week long I have been getting stared and giggled at, and I know my ways are equally puzzling and cause for giggles as mine are to them. The truth is, I have no idea what I am doing that is so funny, but everyone around me is definately in on some kind of inside joke that I am not understanding.
For example, today I was walking home from getting groceries when I noticed that I was being video taped by a group of girls who were cracking up on a bus just in front of me. I have NO idea what was so hysterical, but I am certain there is a you-tube video somewhere of me walking through the parking lot with Samantha and Zoe. I know what you are thinking, I probably had a huge hole in my shirt or something on my face. I didn't, trust me-I checked when I got home. However, I did have Zoe in the Ergo (kind of like a backpack for putting your kids in.) I know this is unusual here because I never see other people wearing them and whenever I wear mine I get lots of extra stares and smiles.
So hopefully you will read my musings knowing that I have very high regard for Indian Culture. There is so much I love here! However, there are some things that are so different that I have to comment for those who can't see for themselves.
Happy November!
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