From: mgundeko@pcserver2.Naitc.Com (Murthy Gundekota)
Subject: Ms. Indian American and I (Re: Indian/Indian-American communication)
Organization: Somewhere near Chicago
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 92 20:18:04 GMT

In article <POPAT.92Aug28132134@image.mit.edu> popat@image.mit.edu (Kris Popat) writes:
>>I'd like to start a discussion about any barriers that might exist to
>effective verbal communication between people who grew up in India and
>Indian-descended people who grew up in the U.S.
>What barriers exist, and how might they be overcome?

What barriers exist, huh? Let me kick this thing off with a recent encounter
with a couple of Indian-descended people of opposite sex. 

Ms. Aroma and I
================

Ms. Aroma and I have agreed to dine in the name of a blind date. So we
pick this place where they serve some goob, which later I've smelt on
Ms.Aroma's burp (hence that name folks) and discovered to be cheese
inside a deep dish pizza. This is how the conversation began, ``Oh,
Indian boy, you seem to know plenty of English words. How did you get
them.'' !!During my chicken pox, at eight. I have nothing to do, so I
kept myself or my body busy by reading soft porn by James Hadley
Chase. Then I go to this school where they talk only in English,
otherwise my hair would've been shaved. Of course, my parents wouldn't
touch me with a broomstick if I didn't call myself bastard before
every meal, every morning after getting up and in front of strangers.
I can speak in English.!! ``Okay, Indian man, now that you are grown
up, what do you want from life?''  !!You see, I am grown up, but not
tall. There is a subtle difference, if you've noticed how these tall
American women look down upon me. By the way, that is not the reason
why I've agreed to see you today. To answer your question, I am grown
up to be a virgin. Is that good enough for you?!! ``Indian dude, you
are fraying my nerves. Are you going to stay here for ever?'' !!Of
course, babe...er...Ms.  Aroma...thanks for reminding me your
name...how can I leave United States and go back to that pre-historic
cave-land? Are you going to give me company while I rot here?!! ``See
ya, Indian drooler. I've a lot of things to do this weekend. My boy
friend is coming over and my room-mate has plans to clean the
apartment. I haven't washed my clothes in weeks. My toothbrush needs a
change of handle. And my panties need a new elastic.'' !!All right, I
will catch your breath again.!!


Ms. Vegetarian and I on the phone
==================================

``So, my father tells me you are interested in me.'' !!Is that so? He
told me you wanted to talk to me. No matter what, we are talking to
each other. That's very important.!!``What did you say?''!!I meant we
are communicating.!!``I trust my father too much. I shouldn't any
more.'' !!Good inference but bad thinking.!! ``He said you are a
vegetarian.''!!I am. I eat vegetables when I don't want to eat
meat.!!``What? Are you saying you eat meat?''!!No, only when I don't
like to eat vegetables.!!``Did you eat meat any time?''!!Did you have
sex any time?!!``What's the relation?''!!That way I can verify what
your father said about you.!!``No kidding, that old man. I trust him
too much. He is a hotelier. That's all.''!!So you haven't answered my
question.!!``No woman will answer that question. You are not my boy
friend. Know your limits.''!!You aren't my mommy either babe. If you
care about my food habits, I care about your sex habits. See the
connection.!!``This has gone far enough. Let's hang up. I don't think
it will work between us.''!!Yeah, yeah, that's what my mom said when I
was young. All you women are same. This time I didn't even want a
woman. Your old man calls me, as if he is croaking on his death bed,
then asks me to call you. He tells you are 26, single, and getting
older fast. Your American talk won't fool me. Nope, not me. I am no
kidder. I eat meat. I drink vodka. I date women. Whenever I want.
Wherever I want. Whatever it takes. However it ends up. Moreover I am
not getting much action with women lately. So please, please, will you
agree to go out on a date with me?!!``No way. We are through. My
father is stupid. He told me that you are dying to meet a vegetarian.
I thought you are not getting any vegetarian food in your
neighborhood, so I can give you some restaurants addresses.''!!Yeah,
yeah, I will go alone, give the addresses. Damn vegetarian women.!!


Have fun folks,

Murthy
Newsgroups: alt.culture.us.asian-indian