By U V .

KINI

ANSWERS TO : WHY ARE INDIANS EASY TO IDENTIFY…

Everything you eat is savored in garlic, onion and tomatoes.
Have you checked out the health benefits of those vegetables?

You try and reuse gift wrappers, gift boxes.

Our Motto: ‘Help conserve the environment’. The wrappings and
boxes are made of paper which in turn is made from wood. Save the
tree! The world first environmentalists were from India. The
Bishnoi’s. They will (even today) give their lives for a tree or any
animal.

You are always standing next to the two largest size suitcases at the
Airport.
Better than having 8 small suitcases.

You arrive one or two hours late to a party - and think it's normal.
So? India is not the only country where you are ‘allowed’ to come late
to a party.

You peel the stamps off letters that the Postal Service missed to
stamp.
If you see a dollar bill lying on the road, will you not pick it up?

You recycle Wedding Gifts, Birthday Gifts and Anniversary Gifts.

Do you know what people do on Boxing Day? (Boxing Day is also a
National Holiday – the day after Chtistmas Day) They exchange or
return Christmas gifts, they do not like, to shops, given to them
(lovingly) by someone.

You name your children in rhythms (example, Sita & Gita, Ram &
Shyam, Kamini & Shamini.)
So we have a poetic penchant. In fact, Indians were discussing
poetry, syntax and grammar when the rest of the world’s population
was living in caves and grunting and growling at each other!

All your children have pet names, which sound nowhere, close to
their real names.
They are pet names, buddy. They are not supposed to be related to
your real names. But tell me how does ‘Bob’ rhyme with Robert or
‘Bill’ with William?
By U V . KINI

You load up the family car with as many people as possible.

That’s what “FAMILY CARs” are for, aren’t they??

You keep leftover food in your fridge in as many numbers of bowls as

possible.
We do not believe in waste. A normal middle class family has a 3-4
course meal. It doesn’t make sense to put different dishes in the
same bowl now, does it?

Your kitchen shelf is full of jars, varieties of bowls and plastic utensils.
(got free with purchase of other stuff)
I am sorry. I am still trying to figure out what is wrong with that.

You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel.

At least I am sure it is hygienically prepared in my house.

You own a rice cooker or a pressure cooker.

Sure. I come from a rice eating country. Don’t you people own
ovens?

You fight over who pays the dinner bill.

Doesn’t it show I am magnanimous, generous, unselfish, broad-
hearted and kind?

You live with your parents and you are 40 years old. (And they prefer it that
way).
They are our PARENTS. We DO NOT put them in an old age home
and visit them once a month to show them we care.

You don't use measuring cups when cooking.

We have mastered the art of cooking. We do not need props or aids
while cooking. For eg. we know how many fistfuls of salt to add
whether it is for 5 people or 50 people.

You can only travel if there are 5 persons at least to see you off or
receive you whether you are traveling by bus, train or plane.
Family values. Shows how much your family cares for you.

You only make long distance calls after 11p.m.

By U V . KINI

What’s wrong in saving? The present Global Economic Meltdown is

the direct cause of reckless spending by the rich countries, especially
the US.

If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've
eaten, even if it's midnight.
Your parents are concerned about your health. What’s wrong with
that!!??

You call an older person you never met before Uncle or Aunty.
Our culture tells us to respect our elders. We think it is extremely
insulting to older people, by calling them by their first name.

When your parents meet strangers and talk for a few minutes, you
discover you're talking to a distant cousin.
”Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. The whole world is my family.

Its embarrassing if your wedding has less than 600 people.

C’mon. only 600?? It should be at least a 1000!! If you do not have at
least that many relatives and friends in a country of a BILLION+
people, you are a nobody!

You have drinking glasses made of steel.

Saves us the trouble of picking up the porcelain or glass pieces.

You have mastered the art of bargaining in shopping.

Yeah, thanks for the compliment. I will not let any vendor con me into
buying at an inflated price.

JAI HIND !

VANDE MATARAM!