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Did the realization that once basic needs are met, we all have a lot in common take a while to come? Did you try to fit your Cambodian neighbors into a narrativ

Did the realization that once basic needs are met, we all have a lot in common take a while to come? Did you try to fit your Cambodian neighbors into a narrative that you recognized before accepting them as they are? Sorry for such personal questions. I just returned to India from the US and at some level, I feel I'm trying to live a US lifestyle in India.

3131s 9y ago
Initially I would not have admitted to anyone or even realized that I was putting people into a 'narrative' but then I think as I noticed other foreigners engaging in that type of thought pattern, I also noticed it to a lesser degree in myself. What helped me get over it was learning the language and really getting to know a few people closely. When you can laugh about the same things, see your own insecurities and fears in someone else, hear their stories about falling in love, and all of those other very fundamental human emotions, for me that really broke down any artificial distance that I had created in my mind. I definitely don't think that because I've superficially lived in the same location for 4 years that somehow my experience is now anything like that of my neighbors, but I do believe now more than ever that despite our totally disparate backgrounds, there is still so much commonality between people all over the world. And of course like anywhere people come in all types, ranging from charming, funny, rude, shy, nerdy, mentally ill, etc. and everything in between. Where in India can I ask? I visited India almost ten years ago now, and I have good memories of Rajasthan, Delhi (except for the crazy pollution!), Mumbai, and especially some smaller cities in Dehradun. The level of poverty in India seemed much more dire than in Cambodia, though I don't know if that's borne out statistically or not -- just my impression. Still, I would love to go back and now I suppose the flight would not be nearly so long.
- saimiam 9y ago
  I live close (relatively) to Calcutta in the state of Jharkhand. It's far from the glamor of a tourist city in rajasthan. Poverty is still an issue and it may well be worse than Cambodia. The (dis)advantage India has is that economic growth happens organically here. In the 3 weeks I've been back, women entrepreneurs have given me pamphlets for their at-home beauty treatment visits to hand over to my mother. If this were more organized, some VC somewhere would have converted this into a chain of stylists making home visits. Anyway, thanks for the conversation. My personal goal is to see people/myself as they are.

3131s 9y ago

Initially I would not have admitted to anyone or even realized that I was putting people into a 'narrative' but then I think as I noticed other foreigners engaging in that type of thought pattern, I also noticed it to a lesser degree in myself. What helped me get over it was learning the language and really getting to know a few people closely. When you can laugh about the same things, see your own insecurities and fears in someone else, hear their stories about falling in love, and all of those other very fundamental human emotions, for me that really broke down any artificial distance that I had created in my mind. I definitely don't think that because I've superficially lived in the same location for 4 years that somehow my experience is now anything like that of my neighbors, but I do believe now more than ever that despite our totally disparate backgrounds, there is still so much commonality between people all over the world. And of course like anywhere people come in all types, ranging from charming, funny, rude, shy, nerdy, mentally ill, etc. and everything in between. Where in India can I ask? I visited India almost ten years ago now, and I have good memories of Rajasthan, Delhi (except for the crazy pollution!), Mumbai, and especially some smaller cities in Dehradun. The level of poverty in India seemed much more dire than in Cambodia, though I don't know if that's borne out statistically or not -- just my impression. Still, I would love to go back and now I suppose the flight would not be nearly so long.

saimiam 9y ago
I live close (relatively) to Calcutta in the state of Jharkhand. It's far from the glamor of a tourist city in rajasthan. Poverty is still an issue and it may well be worse than Cambodia. The (dis)advantage India has is that economic growth happens organically here. In the 3 weeks I've been back, women entrepreneurs have given me pamphlets for their at-home beauty treatment visits to hand over to my mother. If this were more organized, some VC somewhere would have converted this into a chain of stylists making home visits. Anyway, thanks for the conversation. My personal goal is to see people/myself as they are.