What is it with Indians that other Indians embarrass us? Don’t lie. Face it. We all have had this experience even the rich and arrogant. I went to a supermarket last evening and the Indian staffer who is supposed to pack your stuff took a look at me and my house help and literally turned away and went to another counter. It was not even subtle. It was a sort of ‘what the heck, he is just another desi, no big deal,’ let him pack his own shopping. So I turned to this lady who is in charge and I said, why are Indians embarrassed to serve Indians?
She is Indian too and she sort of apologetic and said, no, it is not true but yessssss, it is. Try buying Indian mutton. The ill grace with which you buy it as compared to beef or Aussie lamb or whatever, you almost want to leave it.
I tell my friends these experiences and they say, no, we had a good experience. Aaaaah, you are more advanced than I am, you exude a different power, so they are nice to you. Liar, self con, you have been there, had that experience. Don’t lie. Stop fooling yourself. Try asking for Tagliatti at a market from an Indian attendant, he will sneer in your face. Ask for brie he will have that ‘whaaat, you eat dal and rice, what Brie’ expression and you can pretend it isn’t happening but it is. Go to a plush store and they follow you around. Ask how much something expensive is and you get this can you afford it expression.
Forget abroad, people. They do it in India. I went to buy a kaftan for my sister when a western couple walked in to the shop in Delhi. The staff dumped me like a used napkin.
This guy at this supermarket last night, his attitude was so annoying because it was covert and difficult to pin and that is what incenses you. Because you end up looking foolish and hostile for a small slight. Yet, small slight is the sharpest cut.
Someone very close to me who is a senior executive went to a swank hotel to pick up his wife who was with her American friends celebrating a birthday. He asked for hostess by name like I need to meet Karen. But he was wearing a sweatshirt and flip flops. Ah, said this poncy little French lobby twit, Karen from the kitchen, you want to meet her?
Go figure. So this young man decided to make a bit of a scene. Good for him. Go for it. Yet, the average wimpy Indian, he will say, it doesn’t happen to me. Yes, it does, you fibber, it happens to you, too.
It makes you feel small and if my domestic staff is insulted then I am insulted. No, you do not have to take it. You don’t have to be sporting about it. It is your money, stop seeking sanctuary in how one day someone was nice to you. Take them up on it.
Three hours later I still feel the burn, the friction of a conduct so unbecoming. Damn we do it all the time to each other. Be honest and stop seeking sanctuary in how wonderfully they treat you, the fact is Indians let down Indians all the time in the service industry and I cannot understand why.
