Time Pass!!!

cyberhippie · Apr 6th, 2007, 13:35

No I'm not writing about a chocolate biscuit. I just thought I'd say a few words on that time honored and most Indian way of getting through the day.......... time pass

This is something every traveler, sees every day. Though many won't be aware of what is happening right in front of them. The Rickshaw Wallah in the back seat of his auto rickshaw, the thin guy in white, stretched out in front of his shop,, a gaggle of red coated "coolies" squatting by the rail track, the bearded character asleep atop his motorbike, men squatting by the side of the road, a bidi pinched between their fingers, staring into space, Waiters stretched out on tables, Groups of men playing cards, propping up walls or chugging a beer. Yep all are engaged in time pass!

Time pass a colloquialism that validates the lazy care free existence of the men who use it as a catch phrase and reason to do.......well nothing. A simple term, it's used as an excuse or indeed a validation for all of the above scenarios and many more besides!!

Where's the food I ordered, "oh sir cook is having time pass" but I need my gas cylinder TODAY "yes Yes but delivery wallah is making time pass sir, will tomorrow be OK? Buying a train ticket, after time pass sir PLEASE, as he applies the balm to his forehead!
Even on entry to India I've seen the immigration guy glued to his seat in the passports booth, still managing 5 minutes time pass every 10 customers. The elaborate display of pen tapping, stamp orderliness and cleaning of his monitor screen, belie the real craft of time pass.
Mata Ji looking for wayward husbands will find them in the bar or involved in a full contact card game on some sheet under a palm tree. Again time pass is the culprit.
A half finished masala..............wife knows who to blame time pass, Leaking roof........ time pass, wayward goat...........Guess what?

I've even heard the term half mumbled, amidst the thwack of the stick Mrs Patel uses to beat her husband home from his wayward wanderings, unimpressed by the bleating of time pass my dear time pass

Government both central and State also bring their brand of time pass to the arena, usually riding around looking important in an ambassador with a red rotating light!! The scale of these "official convoys" is such that it provides opportunities for many more to join in with this official time pass

It will be obvious to most of you by now that time pass doesn't span the genders. It's very much a male dominated past time.

The women of India will tell you their life doesn't allow for such gratuities. There's the small matter of Working the land, feeding the family, household chores, making the masala, fixing the roof and finding their wayward husbands. engaged in time pass in some shady part of the village Oh and where's that bloody goat

Time pass an India institution............and a chocolate biscuit

etin · Apr 6th, 2007, 16:12

what a timepass post!!!!

well put CH.

Jorge Reverter · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:00

Great Post CH,

After a long and tiring writing you deserve now

a long "Time Pass".

Jorge

I've sent a few examples:

cyberhippie · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:02

Brilliant Jorge, illustrates time pass very effectively!!

Thanks

cyberhippie · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:09

More on time pass

Jorge Reverter · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:23

As you can see, to corroborate your story there are always only men and never women

.

Jorge

cyberhippie · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:31

You know there's a lot to be said for this male dominated society

Aishah · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:46

Great post Cyberhippie! Mr K is a good one at timepass while me, Mrs K works like b.......!!!!I thought that it was because all these men didn't have jobs but the longer I've been here realize most of them have, much delegation going on and the ones without the jobs are the hangers on. Many don't want jobs - there's always someone in the family who can bring in the 'bacon' or should I say 'goat'?? Many of my friends who visit here for the first time have this as a first comment - where are the women and why are all the men hanging about doing 'time pass'?

EOS · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:55

Truly hilarious....!! had a good laugh while reading....
hope there is more from where this comes from...

cheers

EOS

shreya · Apr 6th, 2007, 17:59

Damn good post Mr.hyppie.Indians are famous for a lot of time passing everywhere.They tend to be usually lazy and literally has to be pushed for work most of the time.

cyberhippie · Apr 6th, 2007, 18:56

I have to confess this is one of things I love about India, the unhurried attitude of "all in good time"

It's a stark contrast to the little corner of Northern Europe where I reside. Where everyone seems to be charging around like headless chickens, convinced their lives are TOOOO busy to exhibit the basic pleasantries of life. In this India is a breath of fresh air for me.

I've always secretly HOPED that somewhere in the darkest recesses of the family home, Indian women are also hanging out with Gulab Jamun, beedis and Ogling SRK in the latest copy of Stardust.

Time pass for women Aye Yeah!!

Sama · Apr 6th, 2007, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorge Reverter

As you can see, to corroborate your story there are always only men and never women

same all over the world, isn't it?

Digital Drifter · Apr 6th, 2007, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by YogaGal

same all over the world, isn't it?

aiyoo! aren't women supposed to slave away in the kitchen while men discuss important matters in front of TV?

What next? Women getting to vote, standing for elections and going to work?

I say, what is this world coming to? Bring on the apocalypse!

*dives into bomb shelter

Sama · Apr 6th, 2007, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Drifter

aiyoo! aren't women supposed to slave away in the kitchen while men discuss important matters in front of TV?

MY style of time pass!

preferably with a good pinot noir.....

the opoponax · Apr 6th, 2007, 21:30

yeah, in america we call that "minesweeper"!

Apr 6th, 2007, 13:35	#1
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Time Pass!!! No I'm not writing about a chocolate biscuit. I just thought I'd say a few words on that time honored and most Indian way of getting through the day.......... time pass This is something every traveler, sees every day. Though many won't be aware of what is happening right in front of them. The Rickshaw Wallah in the back seat of his auto rickshaw, the thin guy in white, stretched out in front of his shop,, a gaggle of red coated "coolies" squatting by the rail track, the bearded character asleep atop his motorbike, men squatting by the side of the road, a bidi pinched between their fingers, staring into space, Waiters stretched out on tables, Groups of men playing cards, propping up walls or chugging a beer. Yep all are engaged in time pass! Time pass a colloquialism that validates the lazy care free existence of the men who use it as a catch phrase and reason to do.......well nothing. A simple term, it's used as an excuse or indeed a validation for all of the above scenarios and many more besides!! Where's the food I ordered, "oh sir cook is having time pass" but I need my gas cylinder TODAY "yes Yes but delivery wallah is making time pass sir, will tomorrow be OK? Buying a train ticket, after time pass sir PLEASE, as he applies the balm to his forehead! Even on entry to India I've seen the immigration guy glued to his seat in the passports booth, still managing 5 minutes time pass every 10 customers. The elaborate display of pen tapping, stamp orderliness and cleaning of his monitor screen, belie the real craft of time pass. Mata Ji looking for wayward husbands will find them in the bar or involved in a full contact card game on some sheet under a palm tree. Again time pass is the culprit. A half finished masala..............wife knows who to blame time pass, Leaking roof........ time pass, wayward goat...........Guess what? I've even heard the term half mumbled, amidst the thwack of the stick Mrs Patel uses to beat her husband home from his wayward wanderings, unimpressed by the bleating of time pass my dear time pass Government both central and State also bring their brand of time pass to the arena, usually riding around looking important in an ambassador with a red rotating light!! The scale of these "official convoys" is such that it provides opportunities for many more to join in with this official time pass It will be obvious to most of you by now that time pass doesn't span the genders. It's very much a male dominated past time. The women of India will tell you their life doesn't allow for such gratuities. There's the small matter of Working the land, feeding the family, household chores, making the masala, fixing the roof and finding their wayward husbands. engaged in time pass in some shady part of the village Oh and where's that bloody goat Time pass an India institution............and a chocolate biscuit Last edited by cyberhippie : Apr 6th, 2007 at 17:28.

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:00	#3
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,141	Great Post CH, After a long and tiring writing you deserve now a long "Time Pass". Jorge I've sent a few examples: Attached Thumbnails

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Apr 6th, 2007, 16:12	#2
etin ° Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Confoederatio Helvetica Posts: 253	what a timepass post!!!! well put CH.

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:02	#4
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Brilliant Jorge, illustrates time pass very effectively!! Thanks

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:09	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	More on time pass

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:23	#6
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,141	As you can see, to corroborate your story there are always only men and never women . Jorge

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:31	#7
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	You know there's a lot to be said for this male dominated society

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:46	#8
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,002	Great post Cyberhippie! Mr K is a good one at timepass while me, Mrs K works like b.......!!!!I thought that it was because all these men didn't have jobs but the longer I've been here realize most of them have, much delegation going on and the ones without the jobs are the hangers on. Many don't want jobs - there's always someone in the family who can bring in the 'bacon' or should I say 'goat'?? Many of my friends who visit here for the first time have this as a first comment - where are the women and why are all the men hanging about doing 'time pass'?

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:55	#9
EOS Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 167	Truly hilarious....!! had a good laugh while reading.... hope there is more from where this comes from... cheers EOS

Apr 6th, 2007, 17:59	#10
shreya Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 4	Damn good post Mr.hyppie.Indians are famous for a lot of time passing everywhere.They tend to be usually lazy and literally has to be pushed for work most of the time.

Apr 6th, 2007, 18:56	#11
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	I have to confess this is one of things I love about India, the unhurried attitude of "all in good time" It's a stark contrast to the little corner of Northern Europe where I reside. Where everyone seems to be charging around like headless chickens, convinced their lives are TOOOO busy to exhibit the basic pleasantries of life. In this India is a breath of fresh air for me. I've always secretly HOPED that somewhere in the darkest recesses of the family home, Indian women are also hanging out with Gulab Jamun, beedis and Ogling SRK in the latest copy of Stardust. Time pass for women Aye Yeah!!

Apr 6th, 2007, 21:30	#15
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	yeah, in america we call that "minesweeper"!

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