Being asked about your salary

machadinha · May 18th, 2007, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

We need to remember that the person asking the questions is doing so out of friendliness and isn't trying to offend you; they think it's OK to ask those sorts of questions.

True, the fun bit is you're entitled to ask it back. Before you know it that train ride will be over

(What I also liked is even (lower?) middle class folks frankly telling you about their financial worries and daily mishaps and so on -- whereas in the west no one will ever let on that life isn't all good if they can help it.)

It's obviously a class thing, you're more likely to run into this in e.g. sleeper class. People complain the upper train classes are "not real India" because no one talks to you

Damned if you, damned if you don't eh.

(btw Politely avoiding the whole thing isn't impossible. Prop a book in front of your nose -- and hope it doesn't get passed around the cabin for all to comment on. Another good conversation starter in itself.)

Annett · May 18th, 2007, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ananda2193

Those are good. I would say not enough also and tell them how expensive it is to live here.

I also get the "where are you from" question all the time, and alot of times I say, "My mother".

I love that one!

shashank.aggarwal · May 18th, 2007, 19:55

well..these all questions are just out of their quest for understanding the foreign culture..the way u live..

Its not that they mean to offend you or something..

but you can understand it in a similar way as you coming to India to understand the culture and other dynamics..

these guys cannot afford to go to your country and do that..hence they take the oppurtunity to learn from you..

Infact it has happened to me several times..when we travel in general bogeys and local buses the villagers do ask us all sort of questions..because they have not even seen Delhi and they are curious to know about the the lifestyle here..

Nick-H · May 18th, 2007, 20:21

"What is your religion?"

---it just cropped up in another thread how hard it is to explain not having one!

gautam · May 18th, 2007, 21:53

a) i dont have to think twice to buy a burger
b) How you doin

)
c) Not much
d) Less than yours saar ji

)

Indojingai · May 18th, 2007, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

"What is your religion?"

---it just cropped up in another thread how hard it is to explain not having one!

hmm... stretch that into answering this one. You can say 'its against my religion to tell my income'.
I can bet 3.50 Rupees you will not be questioned on it.

steven_ber · May 18th, 2007, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

"What is your religion?"

---it just cropped up in another thread how hard it is to explain not having one!

Too hard, even worse is the look of absolute confusion on the face of the person who asked.

It's as if the person just can't understand how anyone can live without religion.

It tought me a lot about how much religion means to people in India.

shashank.aggarwal · May 18th, 2007, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indojingai

hmm... stretch that into answering this one. You can say 'its against my religion to tell my income'.
I can bet 3.50 Rupees you will not be questioned on it.

yeah sure..then you would have to spend another hour explaining the religion you belong too...

Indojingai · May 18th, 2007, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

yeah sure..then you would have to spend another hour explaining the religion you belong too...

hmm... didnt think of that.

You can name any odd religion ... just say there is that one sect you follow in your city and a babaji type guy says not to talk about materialistic things...

Now i'm just wasting bandwidth.

navinkurian2002 · May 18th, 2007, 22:19

How much do you earn ?

Depends on who is asking .

A kid on the street
Ans :- A lot of money
how much ?
1 karode (crore).

A person who really well educated and your friend
Ans:- The truth

A tout
Ans :- I'm poor!, can you lend me some cash

house wives who love to gossip
Ans Quote huge amount and everyone will get the message.

Malkers · May 18th, 2007, 22:56

I like the religion one too. I always say "No religion, don't follow any at all" and 9 times out of 10 they will say "Ah, so you Christian".

As someone else said above, they just cannot comprehend that anyone can live without religion in their lives, personally I think it causes misery and nothing else.

I did meet one auto driver once who was amazed by my non religious status but admitted he was the same. "I only believe in people and nature" he said!

Nick-H · May 18th, 2007, 23:25

Quote:

I like the religion one too. I always say "No religion, don't follow any at all" and 9 times out of 10 they will say "Ah, so you Christian".

But UK was like that up to a couple of decades ago.

Standard hospital admittance dialogue;

Religion?

None

...Nurse writes "C of E"

robotvoice · May 19th, 2007, 00:32

1. tell them you can't remember

Nick-H · May 19th, 2007, 00:42

That's another thing.

"How much did that watch cost you?"

"I don't remember" (I don't).

---even more inconceivable than not having a religion!

machadinha · May 19th, 2007, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

"What is your religion?"

---it just cropped up in another thread how hard it is to explain not having one!

See http://www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?p=337921 for those of you who think WTF?! Bit of a hijacked thread really, it happens

May 18th, 2007, 19:55	#18
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,162	well..these all questions are just out of their quest for understanding the foreign culture..the way u live.. Its not that they mean to offend you or something.. but you can understand it in a similar way as you coming to India to understand the culture and other dynamics.. these guys cannot afford to go to your country and do that..hence they take the oppurtunity to learn from you.. Infact it has happened to me several times..when we travel in general bogeys and local buses the villagers do ask us all sort of questions..because they have not even seen Delhi and they are curious to know about the the lifestyle here.. __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

May 18th, 2007, 20:21	#19
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	"What is your religion?" ---it just cropped up in another thread how hard it is to explain not having one! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

May 18th, 2007, 21:53	#20
gautam Super Mode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chandigarh - Blore NON-STOP Posts: 708	a) i dont have to think twice to buy a burger b) How you doin ) c) Not much d) Less than yours saar ji ) __________________ "Your thoughts could be your prison" My pics on flickr Kerela backwaters - by beach

May 18th, 2007, 22:19	#25
navinkurian2002 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai,India Posts: 703	How much do you earn ? Depends on who is asking . A kid on the street Ans :- A lot of money how much ? 1 karode (crore). A person who really well educated and your friend Ans:- The truth A tout Ans :- I'm poor!, can you lend me some cash house wives who love to gossip Ans Quote huge amount and everyone will get the message. __________________ It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare dream of meeting your heart's longing. Budget Hotels ]

May 18th, 2007, 22:56	#26
Malkers Not So Bloody Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chipping Sodbury, UK (was Bangalore) Posts: 411	I like the religion one too. I always say "No religion, don't follow any at all" and 9 times out of 10 they will say "Ah, so you Christian". As someone else said above, they just cannot comprehend that anyone can live without religion in their lives, personally I think it causes misery and nothing else. I did meet one auto driver once who was amazed by my non religious status but admitted he was the same. "I only believe in people and nature" he said! __________________ Personal Travel Blog

May 19th, 2007, 00:32	#28
robotvoice mikeaholic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california Posts: 1,159	1. tell them you can't remember

May 19th, 2007, 00:42	#29
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	That's another thing. "How much did that watch cost you?" "I don't remember" (I don't). ---even more inconceivable than not having a religion!

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