Sambar and idlis.
One of the things I really enjoyed about my recent Indian homestay experience, in Kerala and Karnataka, was the opportunity to talk extensively to the host families.
One host family was quite new to the hospitality business, and we chatted about the funny incidents that had happened with their guests.
“I find Indians on holidays quite disturbing”, I jokingly told them. “They seem to acquire a completely different persona — or maybe just drop their everyday one. Upon donning their caps and shorts, they proceed to unleash themselves. Once, I stayed at a small and peaceful jungle resort in Goa. Well, it was peaceful until a joint family of four generations of Gujuratis arrived. They spent all day feasting at the buffet, and commandeering the swimming pool. It was possible to hear them from the other side of the resort!”.
Speaking of feasting, the host family proceeded to tell me about the problem they’d encountered with certain north Indian guests at breakfast time. Breakfast was included in the tariff. As a result, the guests would stuff themselves so full of food that they didn’t eat for the rest of the day, thereby avoiding paying for any meals.
The hosts decided that they would have to reduce the amount of breakfast served, or risk being eaten out of house and home.
A real issue arose one day when some guests — a family of two adults and two children — were departing. The host asked them for feedback about their stay. “The quantity of breakfast served was very less”, they complained to him.
Understandably, the host was most concerned. He went to the kitchen to have a harsh word with the staff. “Why didn’t you give these people enough food for breakfast?”, he asked the staff. Their reply? “But they ate 45 idlis and two loaves of bread! And still they wanted more!”.
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45 Idlis and 2 loaves of bread! My goodness! Obviously they were not on the Atkins diet
“But we are like that only”…. the desi way, eye on the bottom line.
It is unfair to the businesses being patronised I agree. But then businesses need patrons. I guess they could calculate thier prices accordingly. Then it can be mutual exploitation off each other
Much like health insurance in the US.
True confession time. I always ask for “no ice” in my soda drink order. I want my 2 dollars worth of drink, not filler ice! And I sneak my own candy and food and cans of soda into the movies when I take the kids. I absolutely refuse to be robbed blind by the outrageously priced soda and popcorn combos offered. I guess “I am like that only”
Hmmmm…. calculate their prices accordingly, good idea. I think this is one circumstance where there should be higher rates for Indians and lower rates for foreigners!
The host family were also telling me that they started displaying a price list for additional breakfast items — and all of a sudden the Indian guests weren’t so hungry at breakfast anymore!
“True confession time. I always ask for “no ice” in my soda drink order. I want my 2 dollars worth of drink, not filler ice! And I sneak my own candy and food and cans of soda into the movies when I take t’he kids. I absolutely refuse to be robbed blind by the outrageously priced soda and popcorn combos offered. I guess “I am like that only”
Everyone I know in USA does that too. That is, the non-desis. Movie theater prices are extortionist!
“True confession time. I always ask for “no ice” in my soda drink order. I want my 2 dollars worth of drink, not filler ice! And I sneak my own candy and food and cans of soda into the movies when I take t’he kids. I absolutely refuse to be robbed blind by the outrageously priced soda and popcorn combos offered. I guess “I am like that only”
You are not the only one when I go to the movies I take my own drink pop corn snake or whatever I WANT cause of what it cost!!!! where I live tickets for movie are 7.50 person. Also depending on where I go I take backpack with stuff in like drinks food ect
45 idlis!! And that wasn’t enough! Well, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. My husband definitely “gets his money’s worth” at a buffet. But at buffets I can usually only eat one plate, so it evens out!
What are the bets that the breakfast was an all inclusive buffet? We Indians love free food. There are legends on how a family skips a meal before going to a party and even brings back doggie bags. From a party. Ok I am outta here before the mob lynches me.
Hey been coming over to our blog for a while. I love the way you write and your idli post made me tag you. http://shetalkslikejune.com/?p=1748. This tag is circling the expat world and you have to write on 7 indian foods you love and 7 you hate
Cool. Stay tuned!!!
Edit: here it is http://www.whiteindianhousewife.com/2009/06/5-indian-foods-i-hate-and-love/
I also understand taking your own snacks to the movies, I think the concession makes more profit from the food than from the movie admission. I also understand how hard it is for vegetarian Indians to find suitable food when they visit US theme parks. But I still find it amusing, to see desis sitting on the grass at Disney World eating curd rice and meticulously packed tiffin.
45 idlis for two adults and two children? Hmmm… No comments… Heehee