.....nice to the fellow Indian on the train/tram/on the side walk... and all public places one can think of.
I mean.... with the number of Indians here in Melbourne increasing exponentially since more than five years ago when I first arrived here... I am sure to bump into someone every 10 metres that I walk! And although it makes me proud to see that more and more people from India, taking the chance to make it big in foreign land, I cant help but wonder whether should I acknowledge their presence with a nod or simply ignore their existence.
If I was in India - ofcourse India is full of Indians - so it is but obvious that you hardly look at the person next to you *you never know what ideas they might start conjuring in their minds! oops!!*. And Australia is full of Ozzies and I never look at them twice *Except ofcourse if its Ricky Ponting passing by! :) *
But Indians in Oz is different. One look and there is a sense of recognition. The other person recognises you as well and then its a race -- who will look away and pretend to ignore first!!
If its a gal - no one knows who won because we both look away instantly and if its a guy then the confident ones keep staring till you look away and the shy ones look down towards the ground hoping not to be caught staring!
But then thats probably why we Indians are not as strong as the other communities overseas. The Greeks or the Chinese or the Italians for that matter... they all are so close knit. They are a force to be reckoned with. While we Indians just scatter ourselves - closing ourselves from the rest of our community. And then, we probably even complain that there isn't a community feeling in Indian groups. Why..no wonder!
So the question is... should we keep doing what we are doing? What if we smiled if not by lips then may be just a smile in our eyes when we looked at an Indian on the street next time? Should we?
OR Do we even have to bother about it? May be this whole discussion is absurd! We are all fine the way we are. Ignoring and acknowledging who ever we like - Indian or not Indian! *who cares!*
What do you think? Tell me - I'm very curious to know!
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4 comments:
I think its good to be acknowledged and then build a community... we inidans unfortunately... coming from such a large country where some states are as foreign as the west... seem to be shy of outting our best step forward.. but I think we should think about going forward and saying a hello at least :) it will take time but should be a good concept...
Pallavi: Yess... It sure is a good idea. A community in foreign land with people genuinely caring about each other would be a blessing! But unfortunately I think.... the idea has been abused by quite a few selfish, gossiping and nosy individuals. And because of that many Indians now prefer to stay away from other Indians! ....*sigh* its a shame!
you know what nupur you are absolutely right..it is kinda wierd as to how indians ignore or rather do not acknowledge fellow indians travelling in the same bus or train..it is strange...i personally have made several futile attempts to smile at them...infact i feel so happy when i see people from my own country..but in vain...one of the reasons probably is that we indians are not very forthcoming and also there is an element of doubt in our minds......
sooooooo true! :) have been feelin the same here!
n u like "punter" too...ahem ahem...i ahev a frnd whoz quite crazy bout him too :D
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