Missing comforts in India?
Jan 6th, 2007, 02:03 PM
#41
Well, Expat Mom seems to be having a good time, which is great. But I was amused when I followed the link to the article on Indian English - a lot of the words/phrases the author is having trouble with are English English as well as Indian English - not surprising, really, but she'd have the same difficulty if she had moved to the UK.
Jan 6th, 2007, 05:04 PM
#42
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jacketwatch: You forget I'm Indian - I was born and (mainly) raised in India. My parents live in India and while I've been away from India for the last decade, I've visited every 2 years and spent 3 months of last winter there. My paternal side of the family still lives in the village and growing up I spent a few weeks every other summer with them. It made me chuckle when you said that I have an insular selective mentality and haven't seen the real India.
If BKP does move to India, I doubt her husband's terms say that they will get to live like an 'average' Indian (if so, reject it now!). What I am saying is that there are many different standards of living, and the one they've been offered is most likely a lot closer to the American lifestyle.
Every country has it's set of problems and we do fortunately or unfortunately get 'used' to it. I pass a square full of homeless people on my way to work here in DC. It smells so bad, I have to hold my breath. But that's reality here and I don't love DC less for it.
If BKP does move to India, I doubt her husband's terms say that they will get to live like an 'average' Indian (if so, reject it now!). What I am saying is that there are many different standards of living, and the one they've been offered is most likely a lot closer to the American lifestyle.
Every country has it's set of problems and we do fortunately or unfortunately get 'used' to it. I pass a square full of homeless people on my way to work here in DC. It smells so bad, I have to hold my breath. But that's reality here and I don't love DC less for it.
Jan 6th, 2007, 05:47 PM
#43
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I hope we haven't scared the OP away. 
I do think that life in India will be a challenge initially until you get accumstomed to it. In recent years, materialism has increased while general civility seems to be at an ebb. Part of that is because a lot of the things we take for granted here are something that people have to hustle for in India. Again, if you're on an expat deal, you'll be insulated from these travails.
Anyway, while you're thinking about your options, read some books. There are some great ones out there that'll provide interesting anecdotes. I'm reading The Inheritance of Loss right now. Rohinton Mistry, Salman Rushdie (not everyone's cup of tea) are other popular authors. There's an interesting title out there called The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen. Good book by a economics nobel laureate who chaired the econ as well as the philosophy dept. at Harvard.
For me, life in NY is great but every time I go to Japan, I wonder why NY can't be as advanced & modern as Tokyo, & why one can't get the same amenities even when people pay millions for apartments here? When I go to Spain, I salivate over the Jamon Iberico & am saddened that we don't get it in the US & so on. But I also miss so many of the things I love about Gotham. Thus, I'd recommend moving to India & just giving it shot. You'll see & learn a thing or two that you like & a few that you dislike and at the end of the day you'll be better off for it. And then move somewhere else & so on. Remaining in Seattle forever or moving from there to SF & back is certainly not as compelling as moving around the world. You are lucky because you'll always have the option of moving back to Seattle whenever you want.
I do think that life in India will be a challenge initially until you get accumstomed to it. In recent years, materialism has increased while general civility seems to be at an ebb. Part of that is because a lot of the things we take for granted here are something that people have to hustle for in India. Again, if you're on an expat deal, you'll be insulated from these travails.Anyway, while you're thinking about your options, read some books. There are some great ones out there that'll provide interesting anecdotes. I'm reading The Inheritance of Loss right now. Rohinton Mistry, Salman Rushdie (not everyone's cup of tea) are other popular authors. There's an interesting title out there called The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen. Good book by a economics nobel laureate who chaired the econ as well as the philosophy dept. at Harvard.
For me, life in NY is great but every time I go to Japan, I wonder why NY can't be as advanced & modern as Tokyo, & why one can't get the same amenities even when people pay millions for apartments here? When I go to Spain, I salivate over the Jamon Iberico & am saddened that we don't get it in the US & so on. But I also miss so many of the things I love about Gotham. Thus, I'd recommend moving to India & just giving it shot. You'll see & learn a thing or two that you like & a few that you dislike and at the end of the day you'll be better off for it. And then move somewhere else & so on. Remaining in Seattle forever or moving from there to SF & back is certainly not as compelling as moving around the world. You are lucky because you'll always have the option of moving back to Seattle whenever you want.
Jan 6th, 2007, 06:10 PM
#44
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Don't worry, mdn. This post has not scared me away at all. In fact, the opposite is true. The more I read and try to learn about India the more excited we are to go. I'm not so naive to believe that it won't be the hardest thing we've done as a family. But, I do believe that it will be one of the best choices we could make. I doubt it would be permanent and hopefully we'll come back with a greater world perspective, some interesting stories, and stronger immune systems! From what I gather from these replies whatever sacrifices or harships we will face, however small they may be thanks to our expat situation, will be completely worth the experience. Thanks to all of you, for not trying to sugar coat or scare us. We really appreciate it all.
Jan 7th, 2007, 06:31 AM
#45
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Memee: No, I did not forget you are Indian. My point was to not sugar coat the situation and thus give the OP the wrong idea and thereby setting her up for an arduous adjustment. Judging by her last comment she has listened. Thats all that I wanted. Namaste.
Jan 7th, 2007, 06:36 AM
#46
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BKP: Bravo to your perspective. You have encompassed most of what was said here into a balanced POV. I do believe you will return rich in a world viewpoint unmeasured by capital. The stronger immune system will be a bonus. 
