3 ms·
First, a word of caution: if you are offered a cup of chai at any of the train stations, I'd avoid it. I know at least two immediate contacts who were offered c
by zaidf 18y ago
First, a word of caution: if you are offered a cup of chai at any of the train stations, I'd avoid it. I know at least two immediate contacts who were offered chai at a train stop. The tea put 'em to sleep for a while. And they woke up to find a lot of their stuff missing.
Having said that, it's funny to read this perspective. I lived my first 10 years of my life there and if someone invited me for a cup of tea, I'd be very suspicious. The stories leading to my suspicion are endless and could be recited by most Indians.
And then I read an account like yours and it makes me rethink all those "moments" of suspicion, some probably more valid than others.
Still, be careful! Have lots of fun! And always watch your back:)
In general, living in any kind of large city for a PROLONGED time makes you more cautious of people, I think. I lived in San Francisco for a year and my outlook on random people was very similar to the snap judgments I'd reach about people while growing up in India.
- mahmud 18y agoZaid, I'm guessing you're a native Indian, am I right? let me tell you this, what you're describing is a native's caution: people do that everywhere, they're less impressed with where they live. If this is a cup of chai offered to you in good faith, by someone whose house you stumbled upon, then pretty much drink it and enjoy. Indian Chai will be made fresh and poured hot on front of you. Your host will get himself a cup as well. Don't drink if the rest aren't drinking; not just out of caution, but also human decency. People in the East are quite hospitable, and the very poor might offer you what little food they have left. If you're given a plate of food or a cup of tea, call the kids over and tell them to dig in, insist, or leave some left on the plate .. it's not rude.
- visitor4rmindia 18y agoExcellent advice Mahmud. Also I'd guess Zaid is an expatriate - simply because I've noticed this tendency to put down India mostly among ex-pats (in the US and UK). I'm a native and I love India. I've had chai at a dozen houses and shops and I never dreamt of feeling suspicious (and nothing happened to me either). EDIT: To clarify my last statement - many shopkeepers will offer you tea when you are buying something from them.
- zaidf 18y agoI've noticed this tendency to put down India Cautioning people about some of the very common scams is "putting down India"? I have a million reasons to love India for! I haven't missed an India cricket game in ages:) But where caution is needed, I will state. Just as you will find tonnes of reasonable people IN India tell you what to avoid; and just like how residents of San Francisco will tell you to avoid the Tenderloin late night. Stop hating on expats. I bet I could beat you at kabaddi:)
- visitor4rmindia 18y agoFair enough - sorry! Give me a shout when you're down the next time and I'll put together a team to thrash you at kabaddi! :-)
- mahmud 18y agomaaf karna yar! you two get a room :-P
- visitor4rmindia 18y agoI'm happy you are re-thinking your suspicions - India is big and diverse and you can really meet some very nice people if you give them a chance. Of course you can also meet some really horrible people but I think it's the same anywhere in the world. You have to keep your guard up a bit when dealing with total strangers.