Part 4: "The list" (contd....) _ Part 4 of 4

-> Impressive:

• 1   It’s a given here that people are generally honest.  It is assumed you will drink what you have paid for even if the vending machines are beyond the site of the counter person. Return policies are mostly no questions asked. No need to be stuck with store credit you will never use.
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• The absolute wonders of a Digital Wallet are what I have witnessed. Of course India has had these things for some time now and is definitely heading that way, monetization or demonitization but it’s really easy to walk in and out of an Uber without even touching your wallet. All’s charged to the card.
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• No being stuck paying toll tickets. You pass the highway and a picture of your number plate is captured by the camera on the street. Again charged to your card.
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• A lot of processes that are automated making it very simple. E.g. rental bike stands, public parking tickets and a few more.

These are a few to name for now…. I’ll keep making mental notes as I come across what I like to call as ‘Best Practices’ for India J

-> Now coming to the Not – so – great:

1)   Well if you are from Mumbai or any other “city” this aspect will be a dampener. America being “the America” we assume it to be, apart from the downtown (known as  “town” side to Mumbaikars) isn’t really well connected by any other transport but your car.  You cannot survive without knowing how to drive or owning a car. You won’t find your ‘nukkad ka dukaan” (shop by the corner) to buy that milk or bread you suddenly run out of. All these outlets cluster together intermittently just like you have all the houses cluster together community wise. So unless you are living in apartments near these outlets, forget about your plans to club your evening walks with making small purchases.

2)   Generally very peaceful. I know that is something I should like, but I miss the noise from India. You appreciate peace and tranquility only when there is lack of it, not when you are surrounded by it. J

3)   The US will spoil the concept of a bath tub for you. Sitting all bubbly in that bath tub possibly with a glass of wine even if you don’t drink and music and treat yourself to a relaxing bath as the bath salts tickle your feet and sooth your senses is what you have always fantasized then the act of having to scrub the mildew it gathers around itself every three days totally plunders it for you. You will neither have the energy nor the will to pamper yourself after that.

4)   When I asked 3 of my fellow students at the university what came to their mind when I say ‘India’ the responses I received were “Slumdog Millionaire”, “Curry” and “Engineers”. I didn’t really know how to feel about that and how that reflected both the perception of my fellow students and India.

General quirks- -

If you are not much of a talker then boy o boy, you can run into some serious trouble here or could easily pass off as someone rude. Americans here indulge in a lot of ‘small talk’. So be ready with your responses and manners to “how are you doing today?”, “it’s a beautiful day isn’t it” and other conversation starters at the billing counter, on the telephone, to random strangers on the street. A random “hi” on the street or sharing smiles across with a random stranger is very common a sight. Try doing that in Mumbai and people will think you are probably high.

Coming back to the education part, and you will realize that ‘tiffin’ is actually a very Indian English word that will have your husband’s boss look at you in wonder as you gladly jabber away not realizing it. Crossing the road is so much simpler especially since you can cross only after the sign as you are walking across the “cross walk” and not the zebra crossing.  And no diarrhea isn’t the scientific name for loose motion. It’s just diarrhea.  The nations crazy about and love their American football. Not to be mistaken with soccer. It’s called football but no one ever kicks the balls or handles it with the feet.  They could have called it American handball. And the other such interesting nuances continue to intrigue me.

And as I continue to let the place intrigue me further, I also continue my journey to explore my surroundings and myself in this not-so-new-now country.

That’s all for now and definitely a lot too. Who has the patience to read four part series of a self proclaimed writer these days? I’m glad you did! And you continue to J and for that it is necessary that I must end now!

But not before I wish you all a Happy and a Prosperous 2017.