walking into the house without knocking

federica

It's more a question of traditional rural societies (small towns included) compared to city societies than "typical Indian".

This "open home" tradition used to (and sometimes still exists) in rural Europe, too. Traditional Bavarian farmhouses didn't have a door bell (and some still don't have), you just entered the house and had a look whether someone is around, mostly you were successful in the kitchen.

In the native place of my mother it was common to let unknown travellers sleep on a sofa in the kitchen.

TheFoolOnTheHill

This is the second yuckkkkiest thing I have noted about Western people.

The first is the fact that paper is used to dry-wipe post bathroom visit. That same hand may be used to prepare my salad.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWW

Back to topic: the Indian sense of community ( rural areas) is a wonderful thing. It's dying our quickly in her horrid cities and urban towns now.

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TheFoolOnTheHill

Another wonderful tradition! In Tamil Nadu, the thinnai and vassal areas were used by travellers ( never called "strangers") to rest for the night.

Wildhorse

It's all about washing your hands with soap before touching food, doesn't matter what you have done before, whether you have used toilet paper, no toilet paper, blown your nose, sneezed into your hand, touched door handles, touched someone else's hand.... whatever. And folks who don't understand this and still work in the restaurant business preparing food are unfortunately found all over the world. And I firmly believe that it has not necessarily to do with the price of the food being served, i.e. it probably also happens in 5-star restaurants. I have seen notes reminding staff to wash their hands after toilet use both in the U.S. and in India. Very sad that people have to be told.

AusE

Yup, had a moment of Ye Who Will not Knock late last week....upon shifting to greener pastures and enjoying the freedom of walking around in a kurta trouserless...in barges she-with-the-voice Shilpa aka apartment block manager (I call her Shilpa Shetty......I thought I left her behind at the last place )


"Shilpa??!! Don't you even knock anymore??!! But what if I was naked?"

"It's okay, you're my friend"

(no, it is NOT okay in my mind)

Note to self: that bolt in the door is there for a reason

brishti

shetty her right - and tell her 'i aint yore big sista woman, do knock'.
yea - always a good idea to bolt the door, tad annoying - but safe.

seriously - set them ground rules.

it'll be 'em biharis next - and you really dont want them wandering in.
really enjoy reading about your encounters with them, ausE



:brishti

santos_g15

In TN, ppl give a loud call (your reference like x 's mother or your name) whilst they enter..it depends on the person some wait, some dont.Always keep the door locked .