Let's talk about a simple, common question that comes up within 2 minutes of any decent conversation - "Where are you from?"
Here's what i do. If i'm anywhere in India, it's always a matter of direct curiosity to know if i'm a Northie or Southie (apparently Eastie or Westie doesn't count). And by that point of time, i can almost see their overactive brains already sorting out my physical features, linguistic slang, mannerisms and millions of other trivia to get some idea of my statehood. They have to know this otherwise their cerebrum would burst into pieces. Headless busts don't make great conversation partners, right? So, in order to avoid any bloodshed, i'll have to declare solemnly, "Chennai", because that's the place of my schooling, college-ing, working etc.
Simple, you would say. But, see this is when the fun starts. If i'm already in Chennai and someone asks me "Where are you from?", i'll have to rack my brains and remember to give the "native place" of my father and also my mother's, thrown in just for additional criminal record. I've come to realize how crucial this "native place" factor is atleast for South Indian Tamilians (have no data point for others), because all my past, current and future actions will be based on this one. It's a strong belief apparently that everything that you do or behave is because of where your grand-grand-grand father decided to place a stake on the ground and settle down. And, right now, you or anyone connected with you in the nearby vicinity have no idea why. And, probably don't care too.
Literally and figuratively "moving on"......if i'm outside of the country, of course i'd say, from India. But, if their geographical knowledge is not that great, i'll have to correct and make it Asia. And, there's more. So, if they're peace-loving, tree-hugging, nature lovers, i might say, "From Planet Earth", just to show my eco-friendly personality. Not met any one so far, but i've practised enough times to make it sound all natural and 100% biodegradable.
This is no fuss, you'd think. But, there's the catch. If you have been brought up in India, been abroad for many years, returned to India temporarily, but have to go abroad again anytime.....i can see your head is spinning already, but hey, this is the true state of a lot of the expatriate community in India. And, because i'm a part of this nomadic group, i'd do a few deep breathing yoga techniques, and ask,"It all depends on how much time you have."
Of course, usually, by that time the person would have moved on to the next level of interrogation or has insightfully boxed me neatly into some weird category of human species. Well, honestly, i stay happy that there's atleast the word "human" somewhere in their category. I'd be really offended to be grouped as space aliens, you know.
Here's what i do. If i'm anywhere in India, it's always a matter of direct curiosity to know if i'm a Northie or Southie (apparently Eastie or Westie doesn't count). And by that point of time, i can almost see their overactive brains already sorting out my physical features, linguistic slang, mannerisms and millions of other trivia to get some idea of my statehood. They have to know this otherwise their cerebrum would burst into pieces. Headless busts don't make great conversation partners, right? So, in order to avoid any bloodshed, i'll have to declare solemnly, "Chennai", because that's the place of my schooling, college-ing, working etc.
Simple, you would say. But, see this is when the fun starts. If i'm already in Chennai and someone asks me "Where are you from?", i'll have to rack my brains and remember to give the "native place" of my father and also my mother's, thrown in just for additional criminal record. I've come to realize how crucial this "native place" factor is atleast for South Indian Tamilians (have no data point for others), because all my past, current and future actions will be based on this one. It's a strong belief apparently that everything that you do or behave is because of where your grand-grand-grand father decided to place a stake on the ground and settle down. And, right now, you or anyone connected with you in the nearby vicinity have no idea why. And, probably don't care too.
Literally and figuratively "moving on"......if i'm outside of the country, of course i'd say, from India. But, if their geographical knowledge is not that great, i'll have to correct and make it Asia. And, there's more. So, if they're peace-loving, tree-hugging, nature lovers, i might say, "From Planet Earth", just to show my eco-friendly personality. Not met any one so far, but i've practised enough times to make it sound all natural and 100% biodegradable.
This is no fuss, you'd think. But, there's the catch. If you have been brought up in India, been abroad for many years, returned to India temporarily, but have to go abroad again anytime.....i can see your head is spinning already, but hey, this is the true state of a lot of the expatriate community in India. And, because i'm a part of this nomadic group, i'd do a few deep breathing yoga techniques, and ask,"It all depends on how much time you have."
Of course, usually, by that time the person would have moved on to the next level of interrogation or has insightfully boxed me neatly into some weird category of human species. Well, honestly, i stay happy that there's atleast the word "human" somewhere in their category. I'd be really offended to be grouped as space aliens, you know.