We are like this only!

by

That’s how I would describe a group of Indians living abroad will end up doing in a party, especially after a few shots of Jack Daniels or couple of Millers. What begins as a simple discussion over any trivial issue happening in America quickly gets translated into “arre yaar, India mein tho ho nahi saktha” discussion – especially when people are about to get over the edge. Filmy discussions always lead to concerned references to growing nudity in Indian films – “Chee – aaj kal ke films man – they are getting worse – Indian culture ka tho khayal hi nahi hain!”.

Sample these discussions that I have been a part of, or at least mute spectator. And yes, they do humor me immensely.

“American football sucks man. I cant why the game stops like every 2 seconds!”
“Cricket sucks even more man. Its too boring. I can’t watch Cricket, but I can any day watch American Football”.

-Did anyone say anything about cricket? No.

“Man – traffic sucks these days man! I spend like 45 minutes on 495 to get to work. And if there is an accident then easily an hour!”
“But think man – India mein tho road hi nahi hain!! Its so much worse there man – pata nahi log how do they drive man?! Ek tho pollution upar se Ghaay Bhais, usse se tho acchcha hain!!”

  • Umm… the point was about how American traffic sucked; No one spoke about affairs of road in India yet.

“The latest Harry Porter sucked big time!”
“Garam Masala sucked as well! – Bollywood is worse!”

  • Hello?

“I got an interview tomorrow man!”
“Agar Desi hoga interview mein tho bahut maarega – be prepared!”
“Haan yaar, desi log hi desi ke lethe hain”!

-Presumptions of the highest order.

“That damned SSN office man – I had to take two tokens, and sit there waiting for like 3 hours before my turn came”
“But India mein tho isse worse hain man! You wont even be given a token and you would sit for 3 hours before you get a token!”

  • Well, we don’t have a SSN concept. Yet.

“I got lost trying to find my way. I missed one turn and I was like roaming for 1 hour before I came to the road – why can’t they put a big sign board for smaller roads too!”
“Trust me man – India mein road ke naam hi nahi hain – tujhe chaar logo ko puchna padtha before you reached your destination!”

  • Yes. So what’s the point.

“America Sucks big time man!”
“India sucks too!!”

-Sigh!

One thing I have learnt. When in a group of Desis, be ready for some needless, out of context and often senseless desh-bashing. Why are we like that? I really wonder. Why can’t I criticize something of another country without having another of my own countrymen pointing out deficiencies of my own country? Why do we desis always HAVE to compare and make judgments!