You may have heard of a recent incident at Paris airport, where a group of Indian passengers filed a racism complaint against Air France. The reason? Apparently, non-Indian passengers were put up in hotels following a long flight delay, while Indian passengers were not. They had to wait in the airport lounge without food and water for quite a while.
Of course, it’s unacceptable that people should be treated differently because of their ethnic background and skin colour.
However, in a recent column of the Hindustan Times Cafe newspaper, Anoushka Shankar (daughter of acclaimed musician Ravi) raised the issue of racist behaviour by Indians themselves. She stated that she considered Indians to be, on the whole, a fairly racist group of people.
Some of her reasons, which were mostly centred around skin colour, were as follows:
- In the event of an Indian falling in love with a foreigner, the Indian parents would prefer the foreigner to be white rather than black.
- Where else in the world do matrimonial ads place so much importance on skin colour?
- Foreigners have to pay a higher ticket price to enter monuments and other places of interest in India.
- The Indian media constantly propagates the concept of white women being easy or loose. Female tourists, especially blondes, are constantly bothered by Indian men who assume that they can take advantage of them because they’re white.
- So many people in northern India constantly make fun of people in the south, and have little understanding of their culture, language and customs.
- The use of fairness creams is rampant amongst Indians, desperate to make their skin colour lighter because it’s perceived as being more attractive.
According to Anoushka, it’s well and good that Indians stand up for their own rights of equality. However, they also need to open their eyes to the fact that they don’t always offer the same equality to everyone else.
What do you think? I feel she raises some very good points.
As a white person living in India, I’m all too well aware of the impact of the colour of my skin, as I alluded to in my post The Difficulty of Being Married to an Indian.
I’m very fair, and I’m often commenting to Indian people that I would like my skin to be browner. Their reply is invariably, “no, we want skin like yours!”. Even my husband, who’s arms have gone a darker shade of brown in the summer sun, is concerned that I might not find him as attractive. He’s not adverse to using fairness cream either!
As for racism, in my experience, Indians from the south are just as racist towards other Indians as their northern counterparts.
My husband and I lived in Varkala (a small beach tourist town in Kerala) for 8 months. He soon discovered that it was like living in a whole different country, rather than a state. The locals didn’t look favorably on any Indians who didn’t speak Malayalam (the local language). In fact, my husband was once asked by a shopkeeper if he spoke Malayalam. When he said no, only Hindi, the shopkeeper refused to serve him. This may sound unbelievable, but it was true!
Are Indians really like that only?
Related Posts:
- The Difficulty of Being Married to an Indian
- Cross Cultural Attractions and Challenges
- Civilised, Well Mannered Indians?
- Happy Holi 2008
- Funny Photo – Why Are These Indians Lining Up?
- Indians Ruining It for Other Indians
- Violence in Australia Isn’t Only Towards Indians
- Racist Attacks on Indian Students in Australia
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
svaha — Perhaps you are being a bit sensitive because I feel that you’ve misinterpreted our references to skin colour in our blogs. Gori girl will have to speak for herself. As for me, I’m not at all implying I’m superior because I’m white, I’m saying I can’t get away from being white!
“I am liberated and don’t care about race (what about those color references as the defining characteristic of the blog titles?)”
That is true, I don’t care about colour. It’s just that it is my colour that defines me here. White is the first thing I’m looked upon as being in India, no matter how much I try and blend in. It’s how people judge me, it’s why people stare at me. I try and live as close to a normal Indian life as possible (hence the title “Indian housewife”) but I’m still seen foremost as white. I’m reminded of it every day. So the blog title is an attempt to blend those two aspects. It’s not claiming superiority, it’s just stating it how it is. I don’t want to be viewed as a firangi, and don’t consider myself as one anymore. I don’t live a firangi life here. So, I’m calling myself a “white Indian”!
Here’s a very entertaining take on being a white Indian. http://delhibelly.blogspot.com/2007/10/im-no-expat.html
Personally, I’d love to have darker skin. That would put a stop to my sunburn, freckles, AND wrinkles.
Seriously, I have to resort to using fake tan from a bottle to try and get a little colour in India, to try and tone down how much whiter I’m becoming (since I can never really sun myself here). My in-laws were commenting on my colour (What’s up with you, you’re becoming even whiter!? How can this be?!) and laughing. I don’t enjoy attracting this kind of attention at all.
As for foreigners being charged so much more to see the Taj Mahal, if you really want to look at it in those terms, I dare say it has more to do with economics than accounting.
Sharell, Svaha has been spamming all of the related blogs with this comment – just trolling or looking to start a fight & get some traffic.
Oh, one of those. Sigh. Thanks Gori Girl.
Hi Sharell,
I love your blog! Congratulations! I have secretly been reading your posts for a while, and I am very happy to see that you can adjust to the Indian way of living. Just as there are many whites who get treated like Gods and Goddesses, there are people of sub-Saharan African heritage who face ruthless, inhumane discrimination in India. I would like to know how you feel about Africans being treated like animals, while whites are given a free pass for almost everything. Also, I would like to know, how you would have felt if you were a Black Aussie living in India. I am going to leave no room for any hostility; I just admire your blog and want to get a different perspective on the racism in India. And this might be a topic for your next blog. I myself being a south Indian know of the racism against dark skinned people. If these were to happen in the United States, the racist Indians would have been shunned out of the society for such primitive behavior, but in India it is the opposite.
Please read the following articles and let me know what you think. I have no intention of trolling, but I have no other means to contacting you.
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?sid=4&fodname=20090629&fname=Cover+Story+(F)
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20090629&fname=Cover+Story+%28F%29&sid=1
(You might have to register to read these)
Hi ShameOnIndia, I moved your comment to the “Indians and Racism” post because it’s more appropriate there and will get more attention. Of course, I think the situation is terrible and disgraceful. It really reveals the hypocrisy that’s rife in India. There was a big feature on racism towards Africans in Mumbai in the newspaper recently too: Being Black is a Crime in this City
The plight of Africans is made worse because some of them do have bad reputations as drug dealers, and then of course this is generalised and everyone starts thinking all black people are like that.
Interestingly, a white friend of mine met a black Nigerian guy in Calcutta (they’ve since married and had a baby). They travelled to south India together (Kerala) and apparently he hated it there because the dark south Indians treated him badly and said rude things to him, obviously because he was darker than them! Even the fact that they are discriminated against by lighter skinned Indians didn’t stop them from behaving that way towards a darker skinned person.
Hi,
Stumbled upon your blog. And absolutely love the candid nature of your posts! You are so, so right about racism that exists in India. I can’t stand the Indian’s obsession with fair skin, and the caste system has totally crippled our country. I can tell you though that not all of India is as racist as some of the parts you’ve lived in. I am from Bangalore, and its got to be one of the most accepting cities in India. You should go visit sometime:)
-Mallika
India was NEVER a single country before the british came. As such, it is a multitude of nations combined together as a “country”. The idea of speaking “hindi” in Kerala is like speaking english in france. Just because they are part of EU, does not mean any language works. Also, many people have a misconception that india has a “national language”. It does not have one:
http://vetri-vel.blogspot.com/2006/12/india-does-not-have-national-language.html
Vijay here is touching the subject of “national language”…which is a sensitive issue for many South Indians. It is also a result of long held racial stance by these people of how dravidians are superior to others and will not accept any common national language. So yes down south no other language will work, but English should be fine. Our invaders are much respected in terms of language in South India than any other place perhaps. So when in Bangalore forget Hindi. People folk this city mostly for job purposes and so as long as someone can speak English..one can survive.
Whoa. Talk about a loaded topic!
Indians have enough chips on their shoulders to start an IT company. Thus, this topic will get many polarised views.
Hi Sharell,
I just stumbled upon your blog while searching for a fish curry recipe
I’m so glad I did 
I enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your perspective coming from a non-Desi. I can’t wait to read more of your articles… good writing.
Being a black woman dating an Indian man, I definitely have noticed the racism that is deeply embedded in Indian culture. I am slightly darker than him, and his mother has commented several times that she doesn’t understand why he would choose to date someone as black as I am, with my ‘unattractive’ hair. She takes issue with my hair texture, and often pressures me to straighten it, and apply skin lightening creams. Still, I love him, so I put up with it. It is very hurtful though
Hey ShameOnIndia,
Get a life man!
Dude, I’m a southie myself, and I grew up in Maharashtra. Not once did I ever experience the “racism” you’re referring to. Ya, initially they used to make fun of my poor Hindi and Marathi, but it was all in good humour. My relatives are mostly in the South, and when I’ve been there I’ve noticed people there making fun of Hindi speakers too, again in good humour. See you’re just another sick soul who takes himself too seriously.
Yes the Shiv Sena did target South Indians, but decent people here don’t take them seriously. People like Bal Thackeray and his goons are clowns who want to gain attention, nothing else. Same applies to those South Indians who spread anti-North Indian propaganda.
The rest of your comment is typical bullshit written by someone with no constructive stuff to do , so I’m not going to give it currency by replying.
To the author,
Yes, I admit that as a culture, we are probably the most racist in the world. I’ve seen black people being discriminated against and white people been given a free rein in several places, but the bias towards whites is many times at the expense of natives too. I’m sure you’ve experienced that. But the attitude isn’t virulent, as ShameOnIndia suggests. I mean we’re not people who despise blacks and go on black-hunting sprees. I’m not justifying any of the racism against blacks, merely pointing out that all Indians aren’t like that, and that the ordinary Indian has more serious issues to waste his energy on than in “treating blacks like animals.”
The kind of racism experienced by a black in India or a North Indian in South Indian (and viceversa) is akin to the subtle racism an Indian experiences in the West. They are treated with a casual indifference, bordering on rudeness, however respectfully they may speak to them.
Please don’t take this fellow “ShameOnIndia” seriously.
Most of the experiences people brag, rave and rant about in blogs on web-o-sphere is highly likely to be case-by-case scenario. It is only immature to generalize south or north or a particular state of behaving in a particular way. Deep down, racism is everywhere but most fellas dont have the guts to honestly admit they are racist to some degree. They may be exceptions. Perhaps 10 in a million who *really*, fairly, treat people of all races alike. It takes more than literacy & good family background to “get” the idea that we, as humans are really alike. Anthropologists are, IMHO, in the best possible position to really realize who we humans really are and where we come and why appear the way we do. Majority of whom pretend to treat people of all races fairly, are just “pretending”. It is not surprising that majority of people from one state treat each other differently in India. It would be a godsend to witness a country where all’s fair.
You husband’s experience with Malayalees has something to do with resentment against Hindi chauvinism. Foisting Hindi as a ‘national language’ and trying to forcefeed it to non-Hindi population has created a distaste among South and West Indians against people from the Hindi belt.
@ Tasha
It is really sad at what you have to go through. Don’t let it get you though. Don’t let what Indians think of your skin colour decide your self-esteem. You are a good person and thats what matters.
I certainly don’t want to get in a big racial fight but my husband who is north Indian does show racist behavior towards black people and whites at times also (yes I am white lol). He feels his culture is superior to all others and if one of my family members does something he doesn’t approve of he begins this “you all white people” mess. He has said many times that he wishes he had my skin color though and was not happy when I went to the tanning bed. I think he is beautiful and wouldn’t change anything about his looks. As for his way of thinking? I feel that his culture has been deeply rooted in him and in America we are more likely to sway from our parents point of view. I try very hard to be accepting of that but it is not always easy. I took a huge leap when we married and was disowned by my father because he didn’t believe in interracial relationships.
“I took a huge leap when we married and was disowned by my father because he didn’t believe in interracial relationships.”………………..
Jennifer, this non-blessing of interracial relationships is probably the ONE thing that your husband could actually relate to and respect about your father or some other “racist” Americans, because is own culture is very much like that, ironically enough.
By the way, I’m not against interracial or inter-ethnic relationships myself, however, inter-CULTURAL relationships and often inter-RELIGIOUS relationships are different. I’ve seen them cause a lot of grief for both parties, especially when both parties are REALLY into their own individual prespective cultures or religions. If both parties are not really into all that, then they seem to work out.
I really hate to admit it but my father isn’t too pleased I’ve married an Indian guy.
(He’s yet to come to India and actually meet my husband though). Thankfully my mum has no such prejudices.
When I was a kid i read that a Chinese traveler came many centuries ago and said Indians are hypocrites. I dont think this has changed….cricket and movies unite us and also religion in some sense.
But its still a melting pot to live in
Nice post..
Reading this post because of an incident last night with colleagues, where a Cuban-US colleague who spent a summer in Delhi was extremely disrespectful of India and Indians..and I was upset. So, when I read Jennifer’s comment of her husband beginning with…’You all white people…’ I am tempted to say, it might as well be me…in a few years! My experience of Europeans and Americans has been that they refuse to understand and respect other cultures and circumstances and pass judgment with an inherent perception that their own society is better. Of course there are exceptions, like Sharell here…but in general, I find that given a chance to see the world, Asians become even more tolerant to differences and dissent…while Westerners tend to become even more myopic than ever. It is unfortunate and leads to stereotypes. After all, I am still asked if India has elevators, or if the cows are on Indian roads because they are holy and nobody wants to move them.
Yes its true that u feel ur in a different country in any state of south india..The southern state Tamilnadu is the same..i am learning tamil language to survive here…
I can relate to that experience. However, I reserve any judgement for Europeans. My experiences with Europeans have so far been positive, with few negative experiences. Especially non-Anglophone Europeans, who are culturally quite curious and open. With Americans, it is a nightmare. They tend to shove their nationalist ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude down our throats and talk to us like we are some savage from the hinterland. Any criticism against this attitude gets labelled as ‘anti-Americanism’. I guess there is no hope for a recovery…
Put a British tourist in place of your husband and Greece in place of Kerela. The question could be rephrased to, “Are Europeans like that only?”
I think xenophobia is a part of human nature, the extent of which depends on how threatened we feel – culturally, economically or politically. In multicultural societies like India, Australia or Russia, xenophobia is more evident because one group fears the other and does all it can to ‘protect its turf’. The ‘turf’ could be anything – jobs, mates or even cultural identity.
I think if we shed political correctness and attempt to understand xenophobia, we might have a better chance at tackling it. Just a thought.
“After all, I am still asked if India has elevators, or if the cows are on Indian roads because they are holy and nobody wants to move them.”……….
Yeah, so? What’s wrong with these questions? Everyone knows that electricity is an issue in India, hence the elevator question. As far as cows roaming on roads…. it happens.
These are not offensive questions.
Yes, exactly Abdullah, you’re spot on. Fear and lack of understanding are the keys.
One thing that has started to really fascinate me about humans, especially since living in India where there are so many different groups, is how “stuck” to certain behaviours people are. They follow the traditions they were raised with, believe what they were taught, and protect their “turf” against intruders (intruders meaning people who don’t act the same way as them or believe in what they believe in). I guess it’s really caught my attention in India because people openly and unquestionably follow so many rituals here, depending not only on their religion but the part of India they come from!
I find conformism to be a general human tendency, regardless of the country one comes from. A simple mind has neither the strength nor the courage to break out of its comfort zone.
In a country like India where religion and culture are emphasised, people tend to be religious and cultural conformists. In places where pop-culture reigns the supreme, people are pop-culture conformists. For example, fashion that changes every few months is nothing more than a pop-culture ritual.
In Australia, people conform to worshiping the AFL (Australian Football League)
All jokes aside, it’s true that it takes courage and strength to break out of one’s comfort zone. I’ve never been particularly patriotic. I love Australia for its unpolluted open spaces and great standard of living, but can’t say I miss much about the culture. Still, I was terrified of leaving my comfort zone. It took a lot to overcome. I didn’t want to remain there, but I didn’t want to face the unknown either. I think people are missing out on so much by just restricting themselves to their “turf”, but it makes sense when it all comes back to “simple minds”.
____________________________________________________________
“With Americans, it is a nightmare. They tend to shove their nationalist ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude down our throats and talk to us like we are some savage from the hinterland. Any criticism against this attitude gets labelled as ‘anti-Americanism’. I guess there is no hope for a recovery…”
____________________________________________________________
I think the words “American” & “Americanism” should be replaced with their Indian equivalents: for you seem to be a perfect fit to your own abhorrence. Your experiences may be true with a Jesus-freak right-winger, or a town-hall Republican, or some Ku Klux Klan adherent; nonetheless, they are petulant cultural extrapolations, which have no place in the lives of decently assimilated residents here. A bit of maturity–just a drop in the bucket–is required to have any acquaintance with the entirety of American culture, which, as your posts demonstrate, you completely lack.
The United States allows more legal immigrants than the rest of the world combined (just read Fareed Zakaria’s books; he is an Indian-turned-American). And more than 41 different ethnic minority groups, each with more than a million in population, reside in the United States, peacefully. That’s more than in any other country. I find that most immigrants from India bitch and moan about getting treated badly (which is due to their poor understanding of the social rules here), but Indians are the most crazy to move to America, any time in the future, as polls show. (As high as 70% of youngsters in Chennai.)
I suggest you take your rants and post in Gori Girl’s blog, and you might even rise to fame, and even have your own column in liberal New York Times.
____________________________________________________________
“Put a British tourist in place of your husband and Greece in place of Kerela [sic]. The question could be rephrased to, “Are Europeans like that only?”
I think xenophobia is a part of human nature, the extent of which depends on how threatened we feel – culturally, economically or politically.”
_____________________________________________________________
Xenophobia; racism; a propensity to oppose miscegenation; sexism; lingual and dialectical discrimination, can be found in all human societies. (Again, stating what is obvious adds nothing to your point.)
The degree to which these phenomena are prevalent in different societies is profoundly different.
“All Indians really like that only?”
In a poorly evolved society such as India, you will have these situations involving racial strife probably occurring in a higher proportion. Of course, there are too many variables even for research sociologists to give a precise answer.
Checkmate!
As an avid fan of Newton’s laws, I apply that to social situations as well. Which means, my reactions to a given action are equal and opposite. Oh wait, since it is against the mighty Americans, it is fobidden right?
I am talking about Americans in general, which includes left-winger Obama voting Americans too. I understand that being in denial is just another characteristics of being an American.
I guess I would classify as immature, if you redefine maturity as “digging your head in the sand and pretending everyone is lovely”. I guess in your books, the Olympics committee is a bunch of immature idiots as well, for turning down the 2016 US Olympics bid.
Irrelevant. If I go to US as a tourist, I expect to be treated as a tourist, not looked down as a potential immigrant. When I meet Americans in my land , I expect them to behave themselves and not display the “ugly American syndrome” (which incidentally, is a worldwide phenomenon). I also expect Americans to respect people of foreign countries as humans, even if they are not awstruck by “dollar dreams”.
Am I supposed to be in love with Americans because statistically, 70% youngers in Chennai are awed by the “Great American Dream”? I wouldn’t move to America for anything. I wouldn’t expect you to understand though, someone who believes every Indian worth his salt wants to migrate abroad. I chose to be an Indian.
Thank you for the suggestion, but I think I’d let that ‘opportunity’ pass. I am happy being as famous as I am and writing for newspapers I already write for.
Anyway, thank you for all your petty personal attacks. I think I can understand what G.B.Shaw and Oscar Wilde meant when they made those not-so-nice quote about Americans.
____________________________________________________________
“I guess in your books, the Olympics committee is a bunch of immature idiots as well, for turning down the 2016 US Olympics bid.”
____________________________________________________________
Nein! I detest sports. And one of the most annoying things about American culture is its affinity to sports. But it still doesn’t rule out the possibility that I think that the Olympics committee is immature for choosing Rio De Janeiro.
____________________________________________________________
“Am I supposed to be in love with Americans because statistically, 70% youngers in Chennai are awed by the ‘Great American Dream’?”
____________________________________________________________
Pinhead! The point was that most Indians express hatred towards the United States but would be on the next economy flight–hanging in the Cargo, even–en route to the United States.
Do you seriously write for newspapers?
____________________________________________________________
“I wouldn’t move to America for anything. I wouldn’t expect you to understand though, someone who believes every Indian worth his salt wants to migrate abroad. I chose to be an Indian.”
____________________________________________________________
So 1) you don’t live here; 2) you don’t sound like you have lived here for years. Clearing this up was why I provoked you to say what you said. It was planned. It is easy now.
You cannot make generalizations about Americans or any nationality without 1) living in the respective country; 2) learning its language and dialects; 3) and assimilating for years, admiring its culture: this is precisely what I meant when I said about requiring “a bit of maturity,” which, the phrase stands for itself, you still completely lack.
And there is more to America than money and great lifestyle. Fareed Zakaria, Dinesh D’Souza, Ravi Zacharias, and a thousand more Indians would agree with me.
America has produced more brilliant and successful Indians (and other minorities) than any other country, including India. This is not the case in Japan or France or Canada or any industrialized nation. This is precisely because the United States treats everyone equally, as prescribed in the Declaration of Independence. Equality has never been observed in Indian culture, since antiquity, all the way to modern times. Period.
I know exactly why you are so ticked off about Americans: The airport officials brought you in for secondary screening and questioned you for an hour, due to your name, Abdullah, which I really think you are dumb enough to display on blogs.
Of course! Everyone is an idiot but you. Isn’t that what the American mentality is all about? Anyone who isn’t American enough or dares to reject the American superiority as in an immature idiot. I guess G.B.Shaw and Oscar Wilde would be immature idiots in your book as well, Mr/Ms Nobel Laureate.
Will it be too much to expect a civil language from you, without calling people names?
I already said that was irrelevant. I am not you, I have no desire to grab a flight to the yank land. I live quite comfortably – with dignity, fame, money and respect in the country that I am.
If someone needs to live in US for several years to tolerate Americans, it says a lot. The French, Greek, Africans, South Americans etc. are pleasant without needing an ‘acclimatisation’. In case of the French it might be a bit tricky, but once you show your willingness to speak French, they open up like no one else. But no, you have to live XYZ years in United States with Americans and turn an American to get used to their intolerable behaviour.
This has nothing to do with maturity. It is just getting used to a nation’s ugliness. If you live long enough, you can get used to anywhere.
Perhaps it is because not as many Indians migrate to Japan or France, as language barriers and immigration controls come in the way.
I see. Looking at your next paragraph, I guess US treats some people more equally than others…
Barring a few renegade or backward states, equality is taken for granted in India. Ethnic and religious diversity in India is more pervasive in India than in United States. Unlike in United States, a mixed race person in India doesn’t face any identity conflicts or acceptability issues in India.
Foot-in-the-mouth remark AND a red herring. You don’t see the irony of saying “United States treats everyone equally” and then justifying discrimination on ethnic grounds. No, I wasn’t taken for any secondary questioning. Looks like you are misdirected in your attempt to justify Americans and illegitimise my distaste for the ugly American attitude.
Moreover my dislike of Americans isn’t limited to my experience with US immigration officials. It is my experience with the arrogance and idiocy of the average American, be it a tourist in Goa or a resident in US. And looks like it isn’t me alone, but a worldwide experience.
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/chicagos-loss-is-passport-control-to-blame/
http://www.time-travellers.org/Historian/UglyAmerican.html
I guess they are all immature idiots because they didn’t migrate to United States and live a dollar-awed life of 2-10 years to learn to tolerate the American ugliness. Or for that matter, change their names to sound either ambiguous or “more American”.
I am not ashamed of my parentage, nationality, ethnicity or background to hide myself under pseudonyms like “cool_guy”, “sam1987″ or “etx[whatever]” when commenting in this blog. Looks like the only person in this blog who has an issue with my name is someone who puts down Indians and professes the American ’superiority’. Birds of a feather…
The racism in America and Western Countries is no different than the racism in India so westerners complaining about the racism/discrimination in India is like the pot calling the kettle black. We’ll all have to accept the fact that racism exists.
People shouldn’t worry about skin color cause skin color just like every other living thing wont last long. The flesh and blood that we have under our skin is red and once that flesh dies out we die out and in the end we are dead bones. So why worry about skin color. People are living under the illusion that a human being will last forever. We all hope to live forever but the sad fact is that we all have to die one day. If there’s an after life, we might live a little bit longer. All life including animals and plants should be treated with respect. Nobody in this world is culturally, religiously or racially superior for we all have our own faults. Race or accomplishments does not make one superior for it can all end in the blink of an eye.
I forgot to congratulate you guys for your marriage. When it comes to love between a man and a woman, it should never ever break. Dont worry about what others say. Be there for each other for true love will never fail.
Yes, We are like that only. Hopefully We learn to acknowledge it and change our attitudes. The Kerala incident, is very wired… I’ve been to Kerala, speak only Hindi and get away with it…but tht is probably cause I try to speak to them in Malayalam and out of the love and respect they have for their language they prefer that i speak in either Hindi or English…However in Tamil Nadu, many refuse to acknowledge Hindi as the National Language, they prefer to speak in English as a substitute for Tamil.
The fact that you tried to speak in Malayalam probably did make the situation better for you. It’s like when I try and speak in Hindi and people appreciate it but say, it’s okay, you can speak to us in English!
Haha, I think this is just a universal behavior. People think that you are trying to hard to speak the language and may not convey your message properly or they may not understand you properly. Also they may have correct you (teach you) or confirm your point often if you are not so clear.
The French-Canadian didn’t like me speaking French partly because they didn’t want to waste their time understanding me or teaching me. Another reason was that they also wanted to practice their English, same way I wanted to practice my French.
And Indians like to prove that they can speak good English!
Um, so true, especially when that Indian is a man, in front a of white woman!!!!
Well thats respectable. I mean, why would the Tamils acknowledge Hindi as a national language when it is not?
Not just Indian men, but Indian women take it a step ahead. They speak in a faux American accent whenever they are in the vicinity of a foreign person (especially in Delhi).
@@ Abdullah K., “…Not just Indian men, but Indian women take it a step ahead…”
I would say two steps ahead, as the old saying goes (translation), “a newly wed bride so often checks her self out in the mirror”. Americanization is a new thing for Indian women to ‘break records’. For instance, two of my female cousins (one born and raised in U.K, other born in India & went to U.S at the age of 18) got married to white men, and in less than 2 years, divorced, and with in 3 months of their divorce, found another men.
The thing is, a faux accent doesn’t impress everyone. When they try the American accent on me, I make it a point to come out with the harshest and spookiest Ruskie accent of mine that I could.
@@ Abdullah k.,”…I make it a point to come out with the harshest and spookiest Ruskie accent of mine that I could…”
Did you ask them since how long they have been working in a call center? You could even tell them that Ashok Amritaraj is making a sequel of ‘The other end of the line’, this time the name would be, “The front end of the pipe (line)”.
@Abdullah K: Exactly. But tht was a whole new topic so din really bother with the explanations. They refuse to speak it because speaking it in some odd way seems to make their very legitimate stand weaker. But English Works!!
@Sharell: The thing is even though three generations of my family have lived in mumbai now, we’re originally from kerala. And to them someone from their state not knowing the language seems to be unfathomable. Anywho too bad, my parents couldnt decide on what regional language they should get me to speak and settled for english and hindi instead…:P
Yes racism does exist in India but I feel that a lot of people are rather stereotypical. As far as racism goes in America, I’d say that yes it is very prevalent here too but more so with the Black people. It is a very true fact and I have seen a lot of people who might like Asians much more than they like the Black people. I m saying this after quite a lot of experience and watching the way different people are treated. Although I’d agree that here in the USA I have never got any racist comments from anyone even after letting people know that I am an Indian. I am a cab driver and I pick up a lot of different people every night. A lot of them are quite willing to learn more about Indian culture. I have a fairer skin but I have never been given the first preference or any special treatment anywhere in India. It is just that a lot of Indians are still orthodox and very narrow minded. A lot of it has changed though and now people are welcoming foreigners with open arms.
@@ Sahil – “…It is a very true fact and I have seen a lot of people who might like Asians much more than they like the Black people…”
It’s all about economy and/or intellect as Americans (and many other whites) define it. However, I would not say “Americans like Asians”, they just see “Asians as something useful or amazing at the same time least harmful to them”. Next time, introduce yourself as “religious Afghan” and see how you are treated. I really hope you don’t get shot.
@@ Sahil – “…I have never got any racist comments from anyone even after letting people know that I am an Indian…”
India has not done any harm to the west in general. So, Americans have no reason to hate you, other than a few individual bad experiences. I am not surprised on how Americans (and many other whites) think. India is not a communist country, and so many Americans know that India may be able to balance power-struggle in Asia with communist China (the only country Americans are REALLY scared off) in future. Besides, who doesn’t like submissive educated slaves who pay high taxes, make their beds, sell them cigarettes, drive their cabs (you), and run their computers (me).
← Previous Comments