What hits you first when you hit India?

Snake charmers?

Elephants for transport?

Beggars everywhere?

Software programmers at the entry point of airport?

A lot is in our imagination based on what and where we read about India. This has been my favourite question to every foreigner when they come to India (especially the first timers).

In 7 out of 10 answers I get a response that invariable means

TOO MANY HUMANS

I have had comments like

- I never knew that so many people can work at an airport

- I have never seen so many heads together

- humans, humans and humans all around

In 2 out of 10 I have a response that invariably means

- You guys are too good at English speaking

What is your first hit on hitting India?

Comments

New addiction

How reality loses to momentum?

Truth prevails is an old adage that seems to be losing its relevance in the current sentiments. Still I am confident that "Truth shall prevail". Hopefully, sooner than later. The case in point is the investor confidence in the stock market. Indian markets are aping the performance of the stock markets of developed world. In fact, the possible loss in indices is reasonably predictable in the last few weeks based on what happened on the previous day in Europe and US. Are the situations similar? Are Indian businesses facing the same situation as companies in western world? Are Indian corporate giants going bust like crackers in Diwali? Have companies of great repute and history in India have filed for bankruptcy? Has any company in India reported loss of sales (top line) in double digits and evaporation of profits? Slowdown yes. How bad is India? Is it comparable to West? It has baffled me as to how convenient has it been to be infected with "western sentiments" virus ...

Can a yes be a no and a no be a yes?

This is a unique feature of Asian (and particularly Indian) that what is communicated may not necessarily be what is meant. This becomes even more complicated when combined with the expressions and body movement. I have been utterly confused at times when the answer is yes but the head movement is from shoulder to shoulder which to my understanding depicts a no. Is it because of subconscious disagreement or is there another issue that is linked to more social issues? In any case, yes or no is also a function of the context of discussion. As is an old adage in Sanskrit मौन स्वीकृति लक्षणं (silence is an indicator of agreement). Is it a universally acceptable practice? Psychologists, NLP specialists, please decipher for my benefit!

IndianMaze

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