Little Girl Lost

umber

hi umber here from china ( im part indian though ), is it easy to get chinese ingredients in india and if so where? and another thing is there a place where expats or like minded peeps (like forum regs)can meet up ?

i will be living there for a year (at least ) isthere anything i should take note of? like what NOt to wear and what NOT to do ?

also i was warned by some friends that the typical indian man does not like taking instructions from a woman how true is that ?

help please

edwardseco

Calcutta, I am told, has a sizable Chinese population. I get Chinese food (sort of) at my people's favorite restaurant in Hyderabad so..

umber

oops i fergot to mention bangalore

sadhuji

chinese population is there in practically every part of the country - specific to bangalore i am not aware of.

regarding men not liking taking orders from women, that is history - today, women enjoy equal status with men in the work place. in many organisations, there are women bosses who set the agenda of work for the men.

it is not the gender that counts but the ability one posesses.

chappal

umber, remove the words "indian man" and substitute "person" and I think you will have a true statement. who likes taking instructions from anyone? anyway, from people i know here, i would say that women do still have to work harder for respect in the workplace, like we do everywhere. is singapore different?

as far as chinese food, you can find most spices, but not so many herbs. I have only seen basil once, in a family garden. Ginger, garlic, and chili are common, along with many kinds of vegetables. In general, I dont see as many varieities of leafy greens here as in Chinese markets. If you are looking for ready made condiments like soy sauce and the dark sesame oil, that I have not seen.

umber

dear Chappal i apologise but i did mention typical by that i meant conservative i guess. As for taking instructions that would be part of my job to give instructions, sometimes to men , i was hoping to get some insight on how best to deliver instructions are there certain customs or preffered way of presenting a task to these persons. and please about dress wear too casual clothes because as it is really hot and humid here we usually only wear shorts and a tee shirt but i have been told by my friends from India that they are shocked when they arrive here to see so many women so scantily dressed, they too are the people who tell me that a woman is not respected by the men there that they have no real value compared to a man.

sudheer poppa

Dont worry too much about Bangalore. It is a very open and safe place. But as you are here for a year, you would be able to get a hang about the "shorts and T shirt bit". Lot of girls wear clothes in those lines but for you to be comfortable, it can be a wait and watch approach (depending on where in Bangalore you are staying). Some localities are extremly modern whereas some are totally conservative.

And on chinese community in bangalore, there is a sizable population and quite well expanding one too. This is more like executives and families than the immigrant kind of population. There would not be many specialist chinese grocers but once you have a network of chinese freinds you shall be able to find out where and how to get the stuff you are looking for.

Its an easy place to live and you certainly have enough time to slowly sink in rather than worrying about the opinion of others

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soulfood

Hi Umber -- someone I know runs a nice restaurant, Shiok in Indiranagar, Bangalore that offers Far Eastern cuisine. You'll find more info about ingrediants available in his restaurant blog.

phantom

I don't think that there is any difference between how you give instruction back in china or here.. Some ppl do have ego problems but then they can be anyone,anywhere.. chinese, indian or british. So don't worry abt that. If you have already some experience of giving instructions then there won't be any problem.
On wearing shorts, I agree with Sudheer. Wait n watch is the best policy. Depends on the location and the kinda ppl around you. Best of luck, and welcome.. There are a lot of IM'ers moving to bangalore these days.. we can surely have a meet soon.. what say Sudheer ?????

chappal

I have not been to Bangalore, but personally I have not been anywhere in India where I would wear shorts and still expect to be respected -- in general. Maybe Bangalore is different. Even in the US, very few work environments would tolerate that. If I were you, I would be prepared to bring or buy some clothes which cover your legs and are still comfortable in the heat.

markhyd

hey, where bout in Hyd is that?


Umber, certain things might be problematic, (my spelling of these ingredents may be bad) shing zao wine and oyster sauce are both hard to get; here at least (Hyderabad)
I've not seen much tofu or beancurd around but it's probably available.
A reasonable variety of noodles are sold. i'd advise bringing as much cooking wine as possible, and possibly some oyster sauce

umber

thank you peeps for all the great answers , i am only half Chinese and half Indian as much as i love both foods i find Indian food to be a little too heavy for me so i take it only as a treat like once a month . And Chappal i did mention casual wear as in to run errands in but i guess you are right , yesterday when i was on the way to the beach ( wearing shorts and a bikini top ) on the bus , a group of tourists from India boared the same bus , the older women gave me the evil eye clearly enuff to make me feel self conscious , though the younger set did not bat an eye , i guess they knew where i was heading and understood ...... but i agree wiff you better safe than sorry

sudheer poppa

Never applied my mind to this part of the question. Mainly depends on the culture of the company where you are going to work. Some old styled indian companies may be a concern but if it is an aggressive new gen indian company or an MNC, then it all depends on your capability and the respect you are able to build. The new gen workplace in bangalore is all about competitive capability rather than gender/race/age blah blah .... Again I would say the first few weeks are what matters most. If you are sensitive and careful about the first few weeks then half the jouerney is done.

In my job, I have had to travel around for long periods to diff countries and involve in high end discussions with people double my age. Always I close out on the excitement of the new place and need to see all, for the first week and focuss only on work and creating impressions

elizabethcoleman

Hi Umber
I worked in a school in Bangalore and found that wherever I went (whether it be to the shops or to work) I would get stared at for knee-length skirts or sleeveless shirts. If your looking for cool clothes in the heat and something that wont offend or shock people I would reccomend buying a few outfits when you get there. Many young girls in Bangalore where thin cotton trousers with a kind of dress top (which can be shortsleeved) over the top. These are really cheap to buy and people will appreciate that you are trying to intergrate within the culture - it also reduces the staring which can feel quite initimadating. Also the very centre of Bangalore - where the shops are - is modern and it is pretty much the only place where you can get away with wearing anything (they have Benneton and other Western stores there so many of the young people in the area are dressed in western clothes).
Hope this is helpful...anyway don't worry about it, just bear in mind that people may be offended if you show a lot of flesh (which is true of older generations in most countries).

agni5454

Here we go again with stereotyping.

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