Oh! And I have not worn a wedding …

Comment posted More Fun and Games in the Garden by boston123.

Oh! And I have not worn a wedding ring in the 25 years I have been married.. after forgetting it in the bathroom, and loosing a couple, I just found them a pain to wear! Many women in the US have mistaken my marital status, and surprised to find I am married to the same lady, but without a ring!

Recent comments by boston123

• The Rigors of Education in India
  Hi,

  Yes, the system is brutally competitive in India, but I am not sure that’s unique. The Japanese economy went through such a change when it’s economy grew after World War 2, and the focus was on memorizing and working harder than ever to be productive. But we know that after a certain number of hours, simply working harder does not raise productivity.. and creativity begins to play a larger role. With economic success, parts of Indian society will also let their kids follow their creative urge, and follow their life passion.

  The problem with the current Indian system( including the IIT’s) is that it places little to no emphasis on rounding out a person.. For example the lack of emphasis on sports and other team( or service ) activities, leaves kids with much lower EQ’s( Emotional Qoutient) than comparable kids in other countries. This can also show up in the form of a inability to assert yourself, agreeing to disagree without being disagreeable, empathy etc.. traits critical to getting full performance from people working for you. Of course the fact that kids in the West enter college at 18 or later, affords them the time to mature some more.

  Likewise, the quality of research( leading to breakthroughs) also has some ways to go.

  My hypothesis is that this has to do with the stigma of ‘failure’ of any kind, and a desire to succeed at the first try, every time. The US in some ways( and especially Silicon Valley) is unique in that it tolerates failures, and you might say there is also an ‘Incentive to fail’, as long as you learn from those failures. The key is that it promotes experimentation and risk taking… two factors critical to breakthrough inventions and improvements. Remember behind every iPhone/ iPad, etc, lie at least 10 ideas that fell by the wayside. I think it was Edison who said that by ‘opening a hundred doors’, he learnt the 99 things that did not work.

  I think the Japanese and Korean economies are entering the phase where they are emphasiszing creativity and innovation, and over time, parts of the Indian economy will do too. But you need to be secure about food, clothing and shelter, before that happens.

• My Corbett National Park Safari Experience
  Hi,
  I think differential pricing for visitors happens around the world. In many cities, taxpayers get reduced fee or free entry to museums. As a Bank of America( largest retail bank in the US) account holder, I get to enter many museums across the USA for free( perhaps with some date/ time restrictions). Its ‘how’ this is handled that makes a difference.. If you went to the ticket window for a discounted/ free ticket you would get a ticket similar to the one a ‘paying’ customer gets, except you don’t pay anything. Granted this works well when the ‘discounted/ free’ ticket holders are in a minority.. but I am sure the government of India can come up with a system that allows Indian citizens to pay a lower price, without the system being so ‘in your face’.

  On the prices themselves.. They appears to be ridiculous.. You can go to almost any National park in the USA ( think Yellowstone, Rocky Mountains in Colorado, Yosemite in California etc..) and get a car load of passengers in for less than $ 20.. In most places a $ 20 pass entitles you to multiple entries and exits for at least 3 days or more.. and you get to spend all day in the park, see a wide range of animals. Seeing what Sharrell appears to have gotten, for the prices mentioned here, I would feel ripped off!

• Civilised, Well Mannered Indians?
  This is very interesting discussion. I think India has made tremendous strides since 1947, and even in the last 15 -20 years. I don’t think those who do not live there( I count myself among this group, although I spent the first 22 years of my life in India), have a right to criticise, without making an effort to do something about the problem. In most Western cultures, it is the leadership( politicians, owners, etc..) that is held accountable for the behaviour and attitudes of the people.. as it should be.
  Even so, there are many leaders amongst common Indians, who are taking the initiative to get groups of citizens together, to solve problems, without waiting for the government. I see many instances of charity , work with the less fortunate, etc. that go unreported.. Remember if you do not celebrate successes, however small, you can get depressed, real fast!!
• Would this Stop Men from Peeing in Public in Mumbai?
  Well, I think its hard to stop folks from urinating, if there are no public facilities around. 2 things that I heard of in recent months:

  a.) A sign on frequently used ‘walls’ that says: ‘Gadhaa mooth raha hai’ .. although I am told the sarcasm was lost on the folks who continued peeing on the wall.

  b.) The Japanese sell plastic sleeves(like a condom)with a small amount of dry ‘superabsorbent’ polymer( same stuff used on diapers), that you can pee into, when you cannot go to a toilet( think being stuck in a car for hours)! The polymer absorbs multiple times its weight/volume, and the sleeve can be thrown away. It is not a cheap solution, but can be made affordable, given the huge number sof people who can use it.. Any entrpreneurs want to run with it? I can tell you what the superabsorbent material is.

• Indians Ruining It for Other Indians
  I think there are a number of stereotypes that may be skewing opinions. You can find large numbers of spiritual Americans in all parts of the country, and many others quietly going about volunteering and helping those less fortunate. Also, the emphasis on accountability, consequences( in all walks of life) and learning from feedback, is something we can use a lot more in India..Likewise the focus and discipline people bring to tasks, to attain high levels of excellence( when it may seem that they are being very selfish about their time), is something to emulate.

  There are healthy and vibrant families( extended or otherwise)all across America, just as there are in India. Remember America is a country of immigrants, and many immigrant groups bring their cultural values from their home countries.. in cities with large immigrant populations, this can become the cultural norm.

  Re. sexuality, yes.. I believe letting the sexes mingle and spend more tim e together, during adolescence, will enable them to enter adulthood as healthier, more mature individuals

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