Hi folks,Had written previously about how we, as Indians, can certainly do with laughing at ourselves a little more. Here goes some more unique features that we share as Indians across the width and length of this great country. Think it is time to take stock and laugh at ourselves a bit. Here goes...... Have noticed that we Indians have at least four important behavioural features that are unique and so characteristic of us. I would like to call it the 2T2S effect... They are 1. Talk
2. Touch
3. Stare
4. Save steps
1. Talk : what is so special about this, you may ask? Of course citizens of all countries talk, right? Yeah!! They do but not like us.We speak endlessly and incessantly. We speak as a Nation without pausing to listen. We speak even when we are not called to say something. In short, we suffer from "verbal diarrhea" as a country.We say more than we need to always... much more... This is why it is unique. Think for a minute... God gave all mankind measured faculties.He gave us 2 eyes, one heart, 2 hands, 2 legs and importantly 2 ears but only one mouth. Even that not just speaking but for eating aswell. Means he meant us to listen at least 4 times more than we speak.But as always, we Indians redid the math for Him. Else why would bethe World toppers in mobile talktime or the fastest mobile phone growth country (540 million cell phones as of this week active in India)? I daresay, we speak 3 to 5 times more words than we take in through our ears. Let me recount a recent experience. I was shopping for a home computer when I overheard an older couple speaking to the salesperson. The latter had asked if they were looking for a computer for home or for the office. The lady butted in quickly and went on tosay that it was for their home and how their 2nd daughter also left recently for the US which left just her husband and herself as the only two people at home. Consequently, the need arose for a computerat home so as to keep themselves engaged and also keep in touch with their daughters, blah blah blah!!!! Where do think thieves get all their information from when they are planning their next heist, haan!! See this so often in buses, trains and other modes of public transport. We would strike up a conversation with total strangers so quickly and tell them our life's story. Isn't that why we have biscuit bandits in trains these days?? Answering to the point has never been our thing.... Don't u agree? Look at our epics.... The longest ever written!! And Krishna filled eighteen chapters to say, "let 'em arrowsfly.... Boy!!"
2. Touch - aah!! Another unique Indian quality. We are a "touchy feely" people and we got to touch something always. When we walk, we touch and feel what is passing beside us - walls, glass partitions, railings (others just hold onto them for a support, we run our fingerson 'em). No wonder we always see fingerprints on glass or even on freshly painted walls especially along the aisles or stairs. And you can make out from the dirt you see on those walls. I have always noticed our maid at home as she swept the floors. She would always keep two fingers on the nearest wall for support as she went sweeping the floor as if she she would fall down otherwise. And she unwittingly leaves behind nice prints from her fingers. Have also noticed that when we admire something, like a car or a thing of beauty, we Indians can't keep our hands to ourselves. We just have to touch it!! Have you ever noticed bronze or granite statues in museums. Check out especially the cheeks next time. They would look much more shiny than the rest of the body from all the constant touching (fondling and caressing :-)!!??).
3. Stare - this is an Indian classic and I feel this is coded into our DNA over millenia. In several Indian languages we have the exact phrases for it - "tamaasha dekhna" in Hindi, "vedikkai parkaruthu" inTamil, "Gammartu Chudadam" in Telugu. We will just simply while away time watching something.... simply staring at nothing in particular orstaring into the wide expanse of space and take in whatever plays out. Ever notice that when a car drives up on a village road, a crowd gathers to watch it and also find out who is getting out. You can sometimes feel the intensity of those stares on your back. I have seen the same thing when I bring visitors through my office or Plant.People just stop doing what they are doing and pause to stare. It of course has its advantages. If Indian police, with all their meagre resources of men and equipment, have been able to crack big conspiratorial schemes such as the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, it is thanks to "observational curiosities" of our brethren. Am sure for every case, the investigating team first starts with the corner teastall where there is always a group hanging around watching the goings on. As I mentioned earlier, it comes coded in due to millenia of watching Nautankis, street plays, tamaashas.
4. Save Steps - we are a Nation of industrious people but we hate to walk, especially those last few steps. Don't know where this feature comes from but somehow we would walk a thousand miles but would be shy to walk a few paces. Imagine how our day starts. Try motivating your kids to walk down or outside and bring in the newspaper or the milk sachet. Noooooo...... can do, right? How about walking a few feet to switch something On or Off. Hmm..... too much inertia. I see it all the time in public places as well. In toilets in public places like airports, I always head to the urinal farthest from the entrance and find it the cleanest indicating not many people bothered to walk so"far" to use it. It is the same when you have a buffet at a party. The service counters farthest from the entrance are the least crowded andare stocked up well while you would find a huge crowd of people at counters close to the entrance. While these people are saving the additional steps, you could with a bit of effort enjoy a wholesome meal quickly and quietly. Try it next time. And you see this behaviour in ticket counters, airline counters, check-out counters at the super-market. The farthest ones are the least crowded and the person at these counter is also pleasanter 'cos he or she gets the least clientele to deal with while his or her other colleagues are stressedout handling the hordes all day!!
So here we are folks!! The 2T2S of we the people.... As we grow as a Nation and take our rightful place in the league of nations, am sure some of these will help us and some of 'em, we would have to drop much against our instincts..... All the very best.
Haha.. Very true..
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