Things That Make Me Laugh.
While there are many things about living in India that I’ll miss, there are a few that will always make me laugh:
1. e-mails that conclude with “please do the needful” or “”you will be intimated shortly”. apparently, they are legacy phrases from correspondence with the the east-india tea comany from the 17th century.
2. sexually charged songs like “get your freak on”, “get low”, and “smack that” as my caring but conservative neighbors use as ringtones. i’m tempted to tell them what the songs mean.
4. the stamp guy outside of grocery stores is required to stamp your receipt as you leave. he has no other role — doesn’t verify the contents or even read the bill, just stamps. when asked, he admits that he sees no purpose to his stamping position.
5. general candidness: “your skin has become really bad here” (i know); “are you balding” (i guess my excuse of “it’s been like that since sophomore year” doesn’t work anymore), “have you gained weight” (no, but you forcing seven helpings of pau bhaji or threatening to tell my dad doesn’t help), and “shave your beard, you look Muslim” (this one makes me mad, so I respond with, “what’s wrong with looking like a Muslim”, which is generally met with silence)
6. a typical Indian front door uses a sliding rod lock that is reinforced with a pad lock. however, this mechanism allows for anyone to come and lock you out from outside. i’ve heard it’s not fun. also, i’m surprised that kids don’t use this as prank more often.
I'm surprised that more people don't get locked in.
7. many families in ahmedabad travel by scooter. father driving with baby in his lap. mom sitting either back to back with older child on the back-edge or with another child in her lap. and while the father has the safest seat, he is the only one wearing a helmet.
Safe??
finding rickshaw. 