This list is by no means exhaustive, it is only suggestive.
1. Cricket
I don’t think we even need to go there. You guys know what I mean.
2.Television Soaps
In case you aren’t in touch with the latest TV serials, here’s an exclusive insight – in the popular ‘Sasural Simar Ka’, Simar is now a housefly following the thrilling twists and turns that this serial has taken. I leave the rest to your imagination.
3.PDA
As we all know, in India it is okay to attend to nature’s call in public, no one bats an eye, but take a kiss and you’re besharam. Double standards are not uncommon here and PDA (public display of affection) is especially regarded as the top level of shameful behaviour, with spitting in public being the basement level, in the cryptic tower of Indian society.
4.The American Dream
Everyone has that one cousin or friend who would give anything to go to the US and stay there. They talk about it like another side of Nirvana that once reached is the ultimate life achievement. No one’s denying that the west could seem like a better place to live in sometimes, after all, the grass is always greener on the other side. However, some of us Indians take it to a whole new level. So much so that there are regional movies based on the concept – is it that common of a dream. Not to disappoint you people but let’s face it; we all know that all the glitters is not gold.
5.Weddings
Being consistent with our culture, it is only fair that we as Indians have the biggest, costliest and loudest weddings ever – regardless of if 50 people or 50,000 people turn up. The shehnai (or the modern day orchestras blaring trendy Bollywood item songs) should be audible even 5 streets away for the next 10 hours (at least), fire crackers need to pollute the radius of the wedding and the wedding premises should be lit up so well that NASA can capture it from space. Doesn’t matter if your entire life savings are splurged on just your child’s wedding, doesn’t matter if half the nation still supports dowry and arranged marriages against will; the wedding grandeur remains unaffected.
6.Fairness
The most disturbing realisation that I had in the past few months is that Nina Davuluri, Miss America, would probably not have won a beautypageant of the same stature in India because of her complexion. Of course in the west, dark skin is considered to be somewhat exotic and eccentric but in India you would find a fairness cream in almost every household. Apparently our beauty bible equates fairness to beauty and that notion (logical or not) has appealed to and stuck with most Indians. Even progressive beauty bloggers have written full blog posts and reviews on the ‘best fairness creams in the market’ or ‘home remedies for instant fairness’. Fairness cream ads also go as far as likening fairness to confidence and success. Do we not realise how wrong this is?
