Comments on: How to stop faking it and start living in the real India http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:47:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Prashant http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-14792 Prashant Sat, 15 Jan 2011 05:49:38 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-14792 Alright. Jokes, NPR, This American Life and classics from Preeti. I'm a fan! Alright. Jokes, NPR, This American Life and classics from Preeti. I’m a fan!

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]]> By: kavya http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-12916 kavya Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:11:40 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-12916 I agree with what you say, I'm an Indian and I too thinks that we must open our eyes and realize the mistakes in our ways of living. It is time that we also begin to appreciate the good things in other peoples culture instead of living in a cocoon. I wish more Indians become more open minded and start living for making the world a better place rather than indulging in petty gossips, I wish that they treat women with the same way that they would treat a man, I wish they stop blaming girls for being eve teased rather than asking the boys to behave themselves, I wish the girl's side did not have to bear all the wedding costs while the boy's side acts like they are the Gods, I wish Indian people realize that they do not have the best education system in the world. All said and done, I have faith that India will survive, because we as a people have that faith, we will become better by the day, we have a lot to learn, but we also have a lot to offer. We must take the good from the western culture, but also uphold our own. We have many flaws in our society, but we also have dreams for a better one, more importantly we have a opportunity, a chance to make things better, unlike in some of the middle eastern countries, where women are totally oppressed. India is a land which is not perfect, but is also a land which can give you dreams, give you hope that we are all striving to make things better. I agree with what you say, I’m an Indian and I too thinks that we must open our eyes and realize the mistakes in our ways of living. It is time that we also begin to appreciate the good things in other peoples culture instead of living in a cocoon.
I wish more Indians become more open minded and start living for making the world a better place rather than indulging in petty gossips, I wish that they treat women with the same way that they would treat a man, I wish they stop blaming girls for being eve teased rather than asking the boys to behave themselves, I wish the girl’s side did not have to bear all the wedding costs while the boy’s side acts like they are the Gods, I wish Indian people realize that they do not have the best education system in the world.
All said and done, I have faith that India will survive, because we as a people have that faith, we will become better by the day, we have a lot to learn, but we also have a lot to offer. We must take the good from the western culture, but also uphold our own. We have many flaws in our society, but we also have dreams for a better one, more importantly we have a opportunity, a chance to make things better, unlike in some of the middle eastern countries, where women are totally oppressed.
India is a land which is not perfect, but is also a land which can give you dreams, give you hope that we are all striving to make things better.

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]]> By: Sach! http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-11238 Sach! Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:13:21 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-11238 OMGosh! Really? Well that's Indian ;) OMGosh! Really? Well that’s Indian ;)

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]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-11237 neo Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:08:31 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-11237 You really should write. You know the irony ? Preeti's parents have tata sky and shop in supermarkets (her mom hates shopping anywhere that's not AC)!! I visited her parents after we had our epic argument, and the irony literally (well not literally) floored me! -N You really should write. You know the irony ? Preeti’s parents have tata sky and shop in supermarkets (her mom hates shopping anywhere that’s not AC)!! I visited her parents after we had our epic argument, and the irony literally (well not literally) floored me!

-N

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]]> By: Sach! http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-11213 Sach! Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:00:22 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-11213 umm no offence but the 'real India' that you are (or in fact Preeti is) talking of was lived by my parents...okay not exaggerating but at least I did go to fancy school, I do get to watch tata sky at home (when I'm home!) and yes! for years have been going with mom to that one farmer something supermarket and shopping things. And now they even have reliance fresh and what not marketing ideas to get women under one roof! O yea! My parents don't own a home in *suburbs* :) I guess I should soon be writing about this! umm no offence but the ‘real India’ that you are (or in fact Preeti is) talking of was lived by my parents…okay not exaggerating but at least I did go to fancy school, I do get to watch tata sky at home (when I’m home!) and yes! for years have been going with mom to that one farmer something supermarket and shopping things. And now they even have reliance fresh and what not marketing ideas to get women under one roof! O yea! My parents don’t own a home in *suburbs* :)

I guess I should soon be writing about this!

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]]> By: digant http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-10961 digant Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:30:40 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-10961 wow... u must really hating staying in India. wow… u must really hating staying in India.

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]]> By: xyz http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-9492 xyz Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:24:29 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-9492 Mr Neo Wannabe if u are so very uncomfortable staying in India why dont you get your ass out of here! Mr Neo Wannabe if u are so very uncomfortable staying in India why dont you get your ass out of here!

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]]> By: Nadizen http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-9054 Nadizen Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:58:14 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-9054 That sounds like a dhoti! If your maid's ripping those off, you're in trouble with the Neo wife! That sounds like a dhoti! If your maid’s ripping those off, you’re in trouble with the Neo wife!

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]]> By: Raju http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-8790 Raju Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:42:13 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-8790 It is absurd that resident Indian people only pinpoint to r2i and NRI folk and ridicule them for not being Indian enough by braving a lower quality of everything. On visits to India even when I had not embarked upon my career and was still going to college in the U.S., I was surprised at how freely the people living in itself India would spend money! If the resident Indians can opt for a higher quality of living if they can afford it, why not the returning Indians? This just does not make any sense. This Preeti character comes in many incarnations and I'm sure we've all bumped into her and her type and have gone through all the annoyance that your post expresses. So, what kind of response does one give a 'Preeti'? Everyone just seems to think they have Carte Blanche to give you advice and to tell you how to live your life. The same frustration one goes through on hearing this advice is also felt when people want to peer into your personal life and gather statistics on you, as if they were intending to write a book about you. People want to know how much you make, how much you have saved, and what not as if it is their birthright (like 'Swaraj') and they shall have it! If you tell them, they dig deeper. If you don't, it is as if you have offended and insulted them. Now, you're on their bad side! How does one handle this?! Please... everyone, comment! Thx! It is absurd that resident Indian people only pinpoint to r2i and NRI folk and ridicule them for not being Indian enough by braving a lower quality of everything. On visits to India even when I had not embarked upon my career and was still going to college in the U.S., I was surprised at how freely the people living in itself India would spend money! If the resident Indians can opt for a higher quality of living if they can afford it, why not the returning Indians? This just does not make any sense.

This Preeti character comes in many incarnations and I’m sure we’ve all bumped into her and her type and have gone through all the annoyance that your post expresses.

So, what kind of response does one give a ‘Preeti’? Everyone just seems to think they have Carte Blanche to give you advice and to tell you how to live your life. The same frustration one goes through on hearing this advice is also felt when people want to peer into your personal life and gather statistics on you, as if they were intending to write a book about you.

People want to know how much you make, how much you have saved, and what not as if it is their birthright (like ‘Swaraj’) and they shall have it! If you tell them, they dig deeper. If you don’t, it is as if you have offended and insulted them. Now, you’re on their bad side! How does one handle this?! Please… everyone, comment! Thx!

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]]> By: तेजस्वी http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-3531 तेजस्वी Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:36:15 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-3531 Tata sky??? I thought that you had Dish tv?? Hmmm..... Tata sky???
I thought that you had Dish tv??
Hmmm…..

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]]> By: The Cydonian http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-3504 The Cydonian Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:30:28 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-3504 Podcasts FTW! Get on with the program man, you aren't an Amreekan hipster if you don't listen to NPR through _podcasts_. Seriously though, if you're big on NPR, do give podcasts / NPR's iPhone/ iPod Touch app a try. :-) Nothing like listening to Fresh Air while you're waiting for a plane to Borneo.... Podcasts FTW! Get on with the program man, you aren’t an Amreekan hipster if you don’t listen to NPR through _podcasts_.

Seriously though, if you’re big on NPR, do give podcasts / NPR’s iPhone/ iPod Touch app a try. :-) Nothing like listening to Fresh Air while you’re waiting for a plane to Borneo….

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]]> By: 10 television ads that will teach you everything you need to know about India | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-3503 10 television ads that will teach you everything you need to know about India | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:22:26 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-3503 [...] song is famous in Neoville because 1. it’s famous! and 2. Cousin Preeti physically attacked Neo after watching this ad, simply because he offered her [...] [...] song is famous in Neoville because 1. it’s famous! and 2. Cousin Preeti physically attacked Neo after watching this ad, simply because he offered her [...]

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]]> By: 3 tips to help you connect with youngsters in India | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1923 3 tips to help you connect with youngsters in India | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:00:40 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1923 [...] How to stop faking it and start living in the real India [...] [...] How to stop faking it and start living in the real India [...]

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]]> By: Mallika http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1894 Mallika Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:01:46 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1894 Haha! Point 2 was something I'd never thought about, after years of being used to actually asking for it at the local grocery stores:) You'd go in, ask for it, get it, pay for it and be off from there..pretending none of it every happened! Haha! Point 2 was something I’d never thought about, after years of being used to actually asking for it at the local grocery stores:) You’d go in, ask for it, get it, pay for it and be off from there..pretending none of it every happened!

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]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1889 neo Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:50:34 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1889 @Roshni (and @Ritwik) 1. The local farmers market is not really a good analogy, since they don't offer branded goods. 2. I'm certainly not going to go to the local grocery store and announce my wife's favorite brand of sanitary napkins to the 11 other customers trying to elbow me out while trying to get to the counter. 3. The supermarkets in Bangalore are very very good. For the stuff that I buy, they are always the same or lower price than the local grocery stores, mostly due to bulk buying, rewards programs. 4. i have some friends in the retail business who tell me that bigger retail chains have much better quality control in general (e.g. power backup for their refrigerators). -neo @Roshni (and @Ritwik)

1. The local farmers market is not really a good analogy, since they don’t offer branded goods.

2. I’m certainly not going to go to the local grocery store and announce my wife’s favorite brand of sanitary napkins to the 11 other customers trying to elbow me out while trying to get to the counter.

3. The supermarkets in Bangalore are very very good. For the stuff that I buy, they are always the same or lower price than the local grocery stores, mostly due to bulk buying, rewards programs.

4. i have some friends in the retail business who tell me that bigger retail chains have much better quality control in general (e.g. power backup for their refrigerators).

-neo

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]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1888 neo Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:43:48 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1888 @Roshni Heh I am never without my laptop (and my Tata Indicom wireless stick). And no, I can't get used to those stupid small keys on the blackberry or the other phones. Give me a proper keyboard or give me death. Besides, what can be more rewarding than checking the "facts" spouted by my elders in real-time ? :-P -neo @Roshni

Heh I am never without my laptop (and my Tata Indicom wireless stick). And no, I can’t get used to those stupid small keys on the blackberry or the other phones. Give me a proper keyboard or give me death.

Besides, what can be more rewarding than checking the “facts” spouted by my elders in real-time ? :-P

-neo

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]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1887 neo Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:39:51 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1887 Hi Ritwik, Great points. Actually I have some great relationships with the local grocery stores too. They are always eager to help, and I love the prompt home delivery. My only beef with Preeti is when she claims that visiting supermarkets is somehow not "Indian". Modern, giant stores are as Indian as the vegetable vendor who hides fresh spinach from the other customers and saves it for me every day just because he knows how much I love it. -neo Hi Ritwik,

Great points. Actually I have some great relationships with the local grocery stores too. They are always eager to help, and I love the prompt home delivery. My only beef with Preeti is when she claims that visiting supermarkets is somehow not “Indian”. Modern, giant stores are as Indian as the vegetable vendor who hides fresh spinach from the other customers and saves it for me every day just because he knows how much I love it.

-neo

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]]> By: Roshni http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1886 Roshni Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:48:33 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1886 since I am an NRI and can sneer all I want, I do agree that the supermarkets in India are well below par in terms of price regulation (they have a lot of gimmicks called sales but you still end up paying a lot for stuff you don't really need). What do we do here in America? Why, we go to the local farmers' markets! However, we also do go to Walmart!! Win win (and please don't tell me otherwise)! since I am an NRI and can sneer all I want, I do agree that the supermarkets in India are well below par in terms of price regulation (they have a lot of gimmicks called sales but you still end up paying a lot for stuff you don’t really need).
What do we do here in America? Why, we go to the local farmers’ markets! However, we also do go to Walmart!! Win win (and please don’t tell me otherwise)!

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]]> By: Roshni http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1885 Roshni Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:44:00 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1885 Oh, so you 'work' on your laptop at parties when you should be grinning at everyone or listening reverentially to your elders' advice?? Now, I get the animosity!! Oh, so you ‘work’ on your laptop at parties when you should be grinning at everyone or listening reverentially to your elders’ advice?? Now, I get the animosity!!

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]]> By: Ritwik Banerjee http://neoindian.org/2009/06/09/how-to-stop-faking-it-and-start-living-in-the-real-india/#comment-1883 Ritwik Banerjee Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:15:44 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=1312#comment-1883 All the sarcasm towards cousin Preeti is great, but I am yet to visit a 'convenient' super-market where I get everything I need (and I am not even getting into the cheaper price issue). I don't know about Bengaluru (even though I really prefer calling it Bangalore) .... but here in New Delhi and earlier in Mumbai as well as Chennai, no matter where I stayed, I have always found a local grocer who gives me what I want (a simple smile with "aap yeh rakh sakte hain kya aapke is super-collection mein. main regular aakar lega." .... in the local language, does the job) and s/he gives it at a price much cheaper than the MRP. For example, the super markets usually keep Kellog's corn flakes while I like the one marketed by Mohan Meakins .... even if the small grocer doesn't have it, s/he gets it if I place a smile and a request. That doesn't work in the super-markets. In those big places, the value of the customer lies in the market research analysis, but in the real India of your cousin Preeti, my value lies in my conversations and smiles, in my regular visits and informal queries about the weather; in my asking whether the shopkeeper's son is doing well at school. You can call it India or bullock-cart or whatever, you can sneer in derision by calling it voluntary austerity too .... many people who have experienced it call it "being more human". All the sarcasm towards cousin Preeti is great, but I am yet to visit a ‘convenient’ super-market where I get everything I need (and I am not even getting into the cheaper price issue). I don’t know about Bengaluru (even though I really prefer calling it Bangalore) …. but here in New Delhi and earlier in Mumbai as well as Chennai, no matter where I stayed, I have always found a local grocer who gives me what I want (a simple smile with “aap yeh rakh sakte hain kya aapke is super-collection mein. main regular aakar lega.” …. in the local language, does the job) and s/he gives it at a price much cheaper than the MRP.

For example, the super markets usually keep Kellog’s corn flakes while I like the one marketed by Mohan Meakins …. even if the small grocer doesn’t have it, s/he gets it if I place a smile and a request. That doesn’t work in the super-markets. In those big places, the value of the customer lies in the market research analysis, but in the real India of your cousin Preeti, my value lies in my conversations and smiles, in my regular visits and informal queries about the weather; in my asking whether the shopkeeper’s son is doing well at school.

You can call it India or bullock-cart or whatever, you can sneer in derision by calling it voluntary austerity too …. many people who have experienced it call it “being more human”.

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