*Re-sharing this post from April for a fun Friday read.*
It was a hot and sweaty day today. I spent the morning hustling about in the older parts of Delhi meeting vendors. While looking for a vendor’s shop – I was lost in the many by-lanes of Old Delhi. After walking around for a few minutes – I nervously stopped to ask a bunch of men lounging around to guide me. Why was I nervous? Mainly because I was alone and there wasn’t a single woman in the nearby radius – which funnily only makes me nervous in my home city of Delhi. (:-P) Anyhow, I approached the men and it warmed my heart so much when one of them responded calling me “beti” or daughter – it took me by shock and disappeared all my nervousness. There are many such little moments that happen in my day to day life that I find endearing. Here are some –
- People calling random strangers bhaiya (brother), aunty, uncle – While I prefer calling people by their first name (thanks to my corporate job) but I find it so endearing when strangers form a bond with each other by just giving them a title.
- People asking each other for directions in the era of google maps – The number of times I’ve seen a car slow down to check the way from a passing autorickshaw driver or walker. Despite how far technology may come -it’s endearing to know that we still need each other to survive.
- People reading the newspaper at small corner tea stalls while sipping chai – In times of digital news and our fast lives, it reminds me of slower days when people sit leisurely and read the paper while sipping on chai (tea) and munching on local biscuits.
- Strangers chatting up with each other while commuting – honestly, I hate it when people talk to me on the bus/train/metro because I’m asocial – but it is so endearing to see people keep their phones aside and talk to total strangers like they’ve known each other forever! It can also be very therapeutic to open up and share about your life and problems with a complete stranger that you’ll never meet again.
- People sharing seats on public commute – this phenomenon only occurs in India where 5 people will share 4 seats and “adjust” to make sure that an extra person can comfortably sit. While I prefer standing, I still find it endearing when someone makes space and offers me a place to sit.
- People from different cultures meeting and sharing their cultures with each other – India is home to SO many religions and cultures – it always warms my heart when people from different beliefs and cultures come together to celebrate with each other and share their culture with each other. Eg: In my old office team – everyone would celebrate Christmas with the Christians, Diwali with the Hindus, Eid with the Muslims, Pongal with the Tamilians, Durga Puja with the Bengalis and all other celebrations!
- Street vendors – I find it endearing that street vendors and shops thrive in India despite the massive growth that Amazon, Flipkart and other e-commerce sites have seen. I love online shopping but could never stop myself from buying earrings/bags from the lady selling them on the Mumbai local train or from the street vendors of Bandra Hill road.
- So much history – I LOVE how you can just stumble on a piece of history while roaming the streets of India. While some cities are more rich in fragments of history – almost all have some pieces of history that will take you centuries back in time!
Where are you from? What are some things that happen only in your country that you find endearing? I’d love to read your experiences!
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Hahaha I’ve never thought about how uniquely Indian “sharing seats” in a train is. Three years studying abroad I’ve never witnessed anyone doing such a thing. The feeling of brotherhood runs strong here.
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hahah yeah – I think outside India – people respect their personal space a lot! In India – EVERYONE is in your personal space. 😀 😀
But yeah – there is this feeling of brotherhood.
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I am from Kolkata! And I agree with everything you said! It is indeed endearing ❤️
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Right? Some things about our country are cute ❤
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Wow, sounds so lovely ☺️
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It is – some things are quite cutesy about India – some not – but I think that is true for most countries. I hope you’ll come visiting whenever the situation is better! ❤
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I agree with you!!
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❤ ❤
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I agree with all of them ❤❤❤
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❤ ❤
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I’ve always wanted to travel to India, and this post just reminded me how much.
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Yesss- whenever the situation is better – definitely visit India! I’d love to show you around my country – especially the not-so-commercial places. ❤
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That would be amazing!!
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And I should also add, same! If you ever find yourself in Virginia in the US, I would be happy to show you around some of my favorite places!
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I love this! Such simple joys 😊 Indians sound like such wonderful, family-oriented people!
And thanks for sharing my post. You’re awesome!
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It is – and I hope you come visit us some day in the future when things look up! 🙂 ❤
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Sounds delightful as you describe it! Definitely on my bucket list! 🥰🥰
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Yesss- whenever the situation is better – definitely visit India! I’d love to show you around my country. ❤
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😊😊 Ooh! That would be wonderful!! 🥰
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Good observations. Few lines to it.
Desh mera kuch aisa hai,
Ajnabee ke liye bhi apnepan ka bhaav hai,
Cheezon se zyada logo se agaav hai,
Pair chhoona kum hua hai waqt ke saath,
Phir bhi sir vinamrata mein jhuka hi deta hai,
Galaa pyaas se sukha ho magar,
bhashaon se vaani tar hai,
Aaj bhi yaha sabhayata kuch hadd tak vasudev kutumbakam par nirbhar hai
…raw one. Will finiah and publish
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Wow – beautiful lines! Can’t wait to read the completed poem! 🙂
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Thanks. Yeah sure
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All of these are so true! India can be so cute sometimes haha!
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haha I like how you’ve added “sometimes” 😀
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haha yes! as much as I love India it can be not so cute sometimes😂
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I agree with all of them! Love this post!!!
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Thank you so much ❤
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This is so beautiful🙌🏽
I remember when I was younger visiting my Nana’s (grandfather) house in the village where all the ladies would gather around and cook everything from scratch. The smell🥰conversations, children laughter, fresh air — it’s everything!
I had so much fun reading this🌼 xx
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OMG yaaa – I used to love visiting my dadi’s house too. The entire family together – cooking, eating and having fun! 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much!
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I’m proud of the points you mentioned. But we should have certain behavioural limits too.
The best thing about Indian people is that I recognise myself as one of them. I can feel their emotions and connect with them. ❤🇮🇳
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SO many behavioral limits as well as changes are required! I hope we will bring a change to our India. 🙂 🙂
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I’m determined to do so.
Actually, people and their issues are much complicated. It’s good to talk about change because that’s a way to change. But the majority of the people don’t like change.
With the economic development, my more focus will be on establishing and running a happy society. I wish to see India as a leading country in the world. Many people are already started working and I think we should also show our participation through our blog.
I’m going to write more stories about India and its culture. Thank you.
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Can’t wait to read your stories. 🙂
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Thank you for your support Moksha.🙂
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I love your tribute to your country! I’m from Toronto, Canada and I love my city too (born and raised here). I couldn’t imagine living elsewhere. My husband fantasizes about moving to Norway and living there when we retire though, still trying to decide if he can go alone or I go with him LOL.. Like India, Toronto is very multicultural.. Everywhere you go is a diversity party (subway, mall, grocer, workplaces etc) and I love that too about my city. We have little spots in the city like Korean town, Little Italy, Greek town, Chinatown etc etc. Everyone is accepting of everyone’s differences, I love learning about diverse culturals and being able to immerse myself in them! 😁
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I can’t wait to visit Canada! It literally sounds like the ideal place – beautiful locales and polite locals! 🙂
My brother is studying in Victoria and it looks so dreamy! I hope I can make it there for his graduation – if the situation improves. I’ll definitely ask you for recommendations – off beat things to do! 🙂
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That’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to visit British Columbia too but haven’t had the chance to! I’m in Ontario 🙂
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I hope you get to visit it soon! 🙂 It’s crazy how every time I see a beautiful place on IG and google about it – it is almost ALWAYS in Canada. I really want to visit Banff National Park!!
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I love the history of India as well!!
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Same – we have so much of it! From one of the oldest civilizations to now – so much history to uncover across the states of India! 🙂
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Truly Indian.
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A lot of times I met total strangers who’d tell me their life’s problems and yes I never got to meet them again…hahaha I guess that’s therapeutic indeed. . . No judgements whatsoever
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Completely agree.. I love India..
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I have never been to India, but now I would love to go. India sounds so kind!
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