Feeling 'at home' in India...

Indiamad · Feb 21st, 2005, 22:59

Just WHAT is it that makes all us westerners feel so 'at home' in India.
Now India is NOTHING like Australia or any other western country on earth (talk about stating the obvious)

and yet I've heard it countless times from westerners (even first timers) that they felt so overwhelmingly at home there. Could it simply be the welcoming hospitality and friendly faces or perhaps something more to do with past life experiences for one to feel such a connection?? Would be interested to hear your comments.

machadinha · Feb 21st, 2005, 23:17

Maybe because it's so overwhelmingly exotic but not alienatingly so... All the unwanted attention at least doesn't make you feel like a total outcast... The spread of English, even if it's less widespread than many people expect it to be, means it's easier to read the (some) papers, the occasional menu, and to find your way around or have a conversation every now and then, and thus to get a feel for the place... Foodwise, many of us will have been exposed to Indian food before and will know how to order at least a couple of dishes... Likewise, English speakers at least will know a couple of Indian words and concepts before they leave... And it being such a massive place where you can travel all over very cheaply surely adds to the attraction... (If I could travel from one end of Europe to another for 7 euros I might feel more at home here, too, and/or find me a place where I did if I didn't.)

Mundane or not but I guess these are some of the things that come into play. India is something special though and no one seems to know why, although I'm sure many reasons will spring up here, should make for an interesting thread.

Karma Queen · Feb 22nd, 2005, 03:31

tis true, i felt very much at home in india. after just a few days it felt as though i'[d been there a life time. probably to do with the friendly locals

TheCrone · Feb 23rd, 2005, 00:18

My own view is that India makes the most of all our senses. The noise, the smells, the colours...
Western life seems sterile and bland after that.
So I reckon this sensory overload stimulates a part of the brain that we need to get in touch with more.

My other, still forming belief, is that I've been kicked out of the Hindu caste system for bad stuff in my previous life, so I have to work very hard in this one to get back on the ladder again.

Merchant · Feb 23rd, 2005, 00:31

All of the above, but there is still something else.

I've been other places with friendly people, including friendly Indian people, and it's still not the same. I think it has something to do with India's overwhelming humanity--not just the kindness but the staggering human presence, with everyone somehow managing to move along, by foot, oxcart, crutch, scooter, Sumo, Ambassador, lorry, etc. The message is always, There's a place for you, too. Horn, please.

Digital Drifter · Feb 23rd, 2005, 16:29

That's exactly the thing, Merchant. Exactly

Kindly adjust, madi!

lonelyaztec · Feb 23rd, 2005, 16:31

It is because i think u know none around u, and can just manage by ur self.

So, u feel comfortable...and go on.

Auntyji · Mar 24th, 2005, 02:34

Merchant has got it right-there's always room for one more (who's counting after a billion anyway?). I've lost count of the number of times I "adjusted" to requests and wound up hanging on to 6 inches of seating space on the train, after standing in line to buy the ticket and paying for it...well, what's a little discomfort anyway!

Auntyji · Mar 24th, 2005, 05:26

You could be right about Pakistanis not feeling comfortable in India, I don't know enough to comment. I have two Pakistani friends with relatives in Madras and Bangalore. They enjoyed their time in India especially my woman friend who said she loved going about Bangalore in jeans and t-shirts. Just relating what my friend said about her trip... I guess they would have felt welcome also because they had relatives in India who were showing them around.

snowcrab · Mar 24th, 2005, 06:13

My sense of comfort with India comes out of my own childhood in the fifties before the whole world became trimmed, paved, slicked over with different kinds of siding, speeded up and innaccessable to humble people. Seems about right to pay 10 cents for a coffee. Also, like the fifties in NA, that is all changing in India too, so there is this wonderful sense of optomism and opening up of horizons. In the west, ordinary people have seen the future and it doesn't belong to us anymore.

Feb 21st, 2005, 22:59	#1
Indiamad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 175	Feeling 'at home' in India... Just WHAT is it that makes all us westerners feel so 'at home' in India. Now India is NOTHING like Australia or any other western country on earth (talk about stating the obvious) and yet I've heard it countless times from westerners (even first timers) that they felt so overwhelmingly at home there. Could it simply be the welcoming hospitality and friendly faces or perhaps something more to do with past life experiences for one to feel such a connection?? Would be interested to hear your comments.

Feb 21st, 2005, 23:17	#2
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	Maybe because it's so overwhelmingly exotic but not alienatingly so... All the unwanted attention at least doesn't make you feel like a total outcast... The spread of English, even if it's less widespread than many people expect it to be, means it's easier to read the (some) papers, the occasional menu, and to find your way around or have a conversation every now and then, and thus to get a feel for the place... Foodwise, many of us will have been exposed to Indian food before and will know how to order at least a couple of dishes... Likewise, English speakers at least will know a couple of Indian words and concepts before they leave... And it being such a massive place where you can travel all over very cheaply surely adds to the attraction... (If I could travel from one end of Europe to another for 7 euros I might feel more at home here, too, and/or find me a place where I did if I didn't.) Mundane or not but I guess these are some of the things that come into play. India is something special though and no one seems to know why, although I'm sure many reasons will spring up here, should make for an interesting thread. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Feb 23rd, 2005, 16:31	#7
lonelyaztec Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,498	Home in India It is because i think u know none around u, and can just manage by ur self. So, u feel comfortable...and go on. __________________ Aztec My photoblog

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Feb 22nd, 2005, 03:31	#3
Karma Queen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: England Posts: 365	tis true, i felt very much at home in india. after just a few days it felt as though i'[d been there a life time. probably to do with the friendly locals

Feb 23rd, 2005, 00:18	#4
TheCrone Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yorkshire, England Posts: 16	My own view is that India makes the most of all our senses. The noise, the smells, the colours... Western life seems sterile and bland after that. So I reckon this sensory overload stimulates a part of the brain that we need to get in touch with more. My other, still forming belief, is that I've been kicked out of the Hindu caste system for bad stuff in my previous life, so I have to work very hard in this one to get back on the ladder again.

Feb 23rd, 2005, 00:31	#5
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,212	All of the above, but there is still something else. I've been other places with friendly people, including friendly Indian people, and it's still not the same. I think it has something to do with India's overwhelming humanity--not just the kindness but the staggering human presence, with everyone somehow managing to move along, by foot, oxcart, crutch, scooter, Sumo, Ambassador, lorry, etc. The message is always, There's a place for you, too. Horn, please.

Feb 23rd, 2005, 16:29	#6
Digital Drifter bang a whore? Bangalore Dammit! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,405	That's exactly the thing, Merchant. Exactly Kindly adjust, madi!

Mar 24th, 2005, 02:34	#8
Auntyji One tight slap! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York Posts: 323	Merchant has got it right-there's always room for one more (who's counting after a billion anyway?). I've lost count of the number of times I "adjusted" to requests and wound up hanging on to 6 inches of seating space on the train, after standing in line to buy the ticket and paying for it...well, what's a little discomfort anyway!

Mar 24th, 2005, 05:26	#9
Auntyji One tight slap! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York Posts: 323	You could be right about Pakistanis not feeling comfortable in India, I don't know enough to comment. I have two Pakistani friends with relatives in Madras and Bangalore. They enjoyed their time in India especially my woman friend who said she loved going about Bangalore in jeans and t-shirts. Just relating what my friend said about her trip... I guess they would have felt welcome also because they had relatives in India who were showing them around.

Mar 24th, 2005, 06:13	#10
snowcrab Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: BC Can Posts: 1,134	My sense of comfort with India comes out of my own childhood in the fifties before the whole world became trimmed, paved, slicked over with different kinds of siding, speeded up and innaccessable to humble people. Seems about right to pay 10 cents for a coffee. Also, like the fifties in NA, that is all changing in India too, so there is this wonderful sense of optomism and opening up of horizons. In the west, ordinary people have seen the future and it doesn't belong to us anymore.