India is turning me schizophrenic

superbimperial · Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:11

Its crazy how quickly I go from disliking some of the people I meet to meeting the most amazing warm friendly people.
Yesterday I rode out to Dolphin nose and Lamb rock near Ooty. Both places were amazing but at Lambs rock when I arrived there were about 10 guys just sitting on the steps up to the viewpoint. They were all traders from the stalls around the parking area and as there are very few tourists around at the moment it is very quiet out there. They all watch me pull up move the bike around put it in a spot to park, turn it off put out the stand and get off. As I start to walk away they tell me I have to move the bike slightly to their proffered parking spot. As there was no one else wanting to park and they had just watched me park it where I had done I was pretty pissed off and just refused and walked off up the hill. Some of them followed after me and tried to sell me some tat and hire out pretty crappy looking binoculars. There was also a stuffed lion and tiger which for just R5 you could take a photo of.
View was amazing but as usual in India there is loads of rubbish around.
When I was leaving had to go through the barrage of sales again and then getting back on the bike one of the guys comes up and charges me a parking fee!
Rode away feeling pretty annoyed. Then when I was coming into Coonoor I saw a load of doors and windows stacked against a building. As I am interested in this stuff I stopped to take photos. Here also a bunch of about 10 guys were hanging around. They were workers in the tea warehouse underneath. They turned out to be the most friendly people. Treated me so well made me some great chai, showed me around then gave me about a kilo of good grade tea.
They were wonderful people and they made me feel like a visiting celebrity.

This cant just be happening to me

Russ

tonylittle · Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:22

THAT INDIA
Tony

Nick-H · Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:50

Certainly is

Two days back I parked in the space outside an office we were visiting. No... this side is for two-wheelers, please move to that side. For a second, I was going to fight about it --- then I thought, what a waste of energy; let this man be happy, the car park is his kingdom, let him enjoy

You can expect to pay parking fees; often there is a ticket, sometimes it is just understood that it is a tip to the security man. Sometimes we park in the hotel car park behind the restaurant we like to eat in... sometimes we get stung by two security men with their hands out! Rs5 each! It would only cost Rs5 to park on the street outside, with an official ticket...

But I think you met, in just one day, with the big contrast between Tourist India and Ordinary India. I know which I prefer, too!

capt_mahajan · Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:51

Its not you that's neccessarily schizophrenic.. it may be India that is

Nick-H · Mar 23rd, 2007, 17:06

There's an old joke about schizophrenics being lucky --- only having two personalities to worry about

sirensongs · Mar 25th, 2007, 02:51

Quote:

This cant just be happening to me

Don't worry...it's not just you! :-)

Arun · Mar 25th, 2007, 03:01

Problem is telling the difference.

If that helpful guy from MG Rd in B'lore is reading this - sorry man.

julesa · Mar 25th, 2007, 16:55

it is a hard place to get used to when you first arrive. the temptation, despite not necessarily ever believing you were that type of person, is to stereotype indians.

but as a tourist you attract certain types of behaviour, mostly associated with extracting money from your pocket. it's not unique to india i'm sure.

you need to find your peace and learn to enjoy it.

burf · Mar 30th, 2007, 18:20

LOL

i can now understand why India fascinates people so much

btw, greedy parking buggers don't spare anyone

Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:11	#1
superbimperial Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 28	India is turning me schizophrenic Its crazy how quickly I go from disliking some of the people I meet to meeting the most amazing warm friendly people. Yesterday I rode out to Dolphin nose and Lamb rock near Ooty. Both places were amazing but at Lambs rock when I arrived there were about 10 guys just sitting on the steps up to the viewpoint. They were all traders from the stalls around the parking area and as there are very few tourists around at the moment it is very quiet out there. They all watch me pull up move the bike around put it in a spot to park, turn it off put out the stand and get off. As I start to walk away they tell me I have to move the bike slightly to their proffered parking spot. As there was no one else wanting to park and they had just watched me park it where I had done I was pretty pissed off and just refused and walked off up the hill. Some of them followed after me and tried to sell me some tat and hire out pretty crappy looking binoculars. There was also a stuffed lion and tiger which for just R5 you could take a photo of. View was amazing but as usual in India there is loads of rubbish around. When I was leaving had to go through the barrage of sales again and then getting back on the bike one of the guys comes up and charges me a parking fee! Rode away feeling pretty annoyed. Then when I was coming into Coonoor I saw a load of doors and windows stacked against a building. As I am interested in this stuff I stopped to take photos. Here also a bunch of about 10 guys were hanging around. They were workers in the tea warehouse underneath. They turned out to be the most friendly people. Treated me so well made me some great chai, showed me around then gave me about a kilo of good grade tea. They were wonderful people and they made me feel like a visiting celebrity. This cant just be happening to me Russ

Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:51	#4
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,605	Its not you that's neccessarily schizophrenic.. it may be India that is __________________ . Outside the machine

Mar 25th, 2007, 03:01	#7
Arun zindabad! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Israel Posts: 174	Problem is telling the difference. If that helpful guy from MG Rd in B'lore is reading this - sorry man. __________________ Jai Hind.

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Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:22	#2
tonylittle Da Da Gee Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ross on wye england Posts: 314	THAT INDIA Tony

Mar 23rd, 2007, 16:50	#3
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	Certainly is Two days back I parked in the space outside an office we were visiting. No... this side is for two-wheelers, please move to that side. For a second, I was going to fight about it --- then I thought, what a waste of energy; let this man be happy, the car park is his kingdom, let him enjoy You can expect to pay parking fees; often there is a ticket, sometimes it is just understood that it is a tip to the security man. Sometimes we park in the hotel car park behind the restaurant we like to eat in... sometimes we get stung by two security men with their hands out! Rs5 each! It would only cost Rs5 to park on the street outside, with an official ticket... But I think you met, in just one day, with the big contrast between Tourist India and Ordinary India. I know which I prefer, too!

Mar 23rd, 2007, 17:06	#5
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	There's an old joke about schizophrenics being lucky --- only having two personalities to worry about

Mar 25th, 2007, 16:55	#8
julesa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: melbourne australia Posts: 356	it is a hard place to get used to when you first arrive. the temptation, despite not necessarily ever believing you were that type of person, is to stereotype indians. but as a tourist you attract certain types of behaviour, mostly associated with extracting money from your pocket. it's not unique to india i'm sure. you need to find your peace and learn to enjoy it.

Mar 30th, 2007, 18:20	#9
burf wondering when? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: delhi Posts: 375	LOL i can now understand why India fascinates people so much btw, greedy parking buggers don't spare anyone