- Dec 12, 2000
- 25,403
- 9,993
- 136
Okay, I was away from ATOT for awhile and didn't realize my last thread about my roommate (where's the hole?) got 174 replies. A lot of you enjoyed a quick laugh, which is all I hoped for, but a bunch of Indians now believe I'm a coconut for finding humor in my roommate's actions. Fine, I can live with that. But then they go on to say I'm a disgrace to Indians, a "POS" for laughing at my 'countrymen' and that I'm "ashamed" of my brown skin.
WTF?
Now normally my response to such idiocy would be "go fvckyourselves" and maybe a "typical Indian who only hangs out with Indians hating on the guy who has white friends" (racism/classism is common amongst us--it sucks but its true.)
But I can understand how some of you may misconstrue my attempts at helping someone out as getting a few cheap laughs at their expense. So let me explain in detail.
First of all, this is my 2nd Indian roommate straight from Indian in the West for the first time. My roommate from last year was in the MS program (1 year) so he's gone, happily working for Deloitte in the City now.
How many threads did I write about my last roommate? To be honest, I don't know. If anything I probably mentioned how I had trouble with his accent and that his cooking is fvcking ON FIRE (the guy's South Indian from Hyderabad--he could eat raw Habaneros for a nice snack) and how I learned not to eat his cooking unless the spice was served 'on the side'. But it should be noted that my 1st roommate: a) used toilet paper, b) did not ask for a hole, c) did not smell, d) was generally cleaner and more hygenic (washed his dishes, didn't leave a mess on the dining table, put things in their place, etc.)
Now it is my belief that the VAST MAJORITY of Indians who come here to study behave like my 1st roommate--and that they're generally easy to get along with anyone here in America.
Now back to my current roommate. It is also my belief that people like him, though not the majority of visa-holders, give a bad image to the rest of them. Now of course I would let it slide if he's from some poor village somewhere and has never known better. But he's from New Delhi. From a supposedly 'good family' (I didn't judge this, just what I heard) and he's worked for a multinational firm for the past three years.
Now, given these conditions, I would expect him to be better adjusted to life over here. The fact that he isn't, well, that just means I have my work cut out for me. Like I said, I CHOSE to let him live with me and am NOT kicking him out. I think it is my duty to set things straight and teach him a few things about deadorant, doing laundry, hygiene and other things. For those who don't know...most well-off families in India have SERVANTS to do cooking and cleaning and laundry. Most likely, he's never had to do it himself like the rest of us here. BTW, I'm sure he uses toilet paper in public restrooms--I guess he just prefers the old method at home and I'll allow him that (but heck I can still laugh.)
Now if you think I should just mind my own business and not try to "teach" things to him, well I have some words. My roommate will be interviewing for MBA-level internships starting in three weeks. What's going to happen if he smells? You think anyone will hire him? What about his classmates/teammates at school? Why should I let him learn the hard way when I can just tell him straight up "dude you smell" and let him get over it. So far I've tried with subtle hints (bought him a P&G/Gillette starter package) but I don't think he's using regularly, so I will be upfront about it. My hope is that by living with me, he'll learn how to live in this country and it'll be a much quicker and smoother adjustment. Like I said before...my dad had to learn things on his own the hard way. I want to make things easier.
And hell, I'll learn a few things from him too (like how to make good Indian chai with looseleaf tea, spices and gingerroot! Score!)
WTF?
Now normally my response to such idiocy would be "go fvckyourselves" and maybe a "typical Indian who only hangs out with Indians hating on the guy who has white friends" (racism/classism is common amongst us--it sucks but its true.)
But I can understand how some of you may misconstrue my attempts at helping someone out as getting a few cheap laughs at their expense. So let me explain in detail.
First of all, this is my 2nd Indian roommate straight from Indian in the West for the first time. My roommate from last year was in the MS program (1 year) so he's gone, happily working for Deloitte in the City now.
How many threads did I write about my last roommate? To be honest, I don't know. If anything I probably mentioned how I had trouble with his accent and that his cooking is fvcking ON FIRE (the guy's South Indian from Hyderabad--he could eat raw Habaneros for a nice snack) and how I learned not to eat his cooking unless the spice was served 'on the side'. But it should be noted that my 1st roommate: a) used toilet paper, b) did not ask for a hole, c) did not smell, d) was generally cleaner and more hygenic (washed his dishes, didn't leave a mess on the dining table, put things in their place, etc.)
Now it is my belief that the VAST MAJORITY of Indians who come here to study behave like my 1st roommate--and that they're generally easy to get along with anyone here in America.
Now back to my current roommate. It is also my belief that people like him, though not the majority of visa-holders, give a bad image to the rest of them. Now of course I would let it slide if he's from some poor village somewhere and has never known better. But he's from New Delhi. From a supposedly 'good family' (I didn't judge this, just what I heard) and he's worked for a multinational firm for the past three years.
Now, given these conditions, I would expect him to be better adjusted to life over here. The fact that he isn't, well, that just means I have my work cut out for me. Like I said, I CHOSE to let him live with me and am NOT kicking him out. I think it is my duty to set things straight and teach him a few things about deadorant, doing laundry, hygiene and other things. For those who don't know...most well-off families in India have SERVANTS to do cooking and cleaning and laundry. Most likely, he's never had to do it himself like the rest of us here. BTW, I'm sure he uses toilet paper in public restrooms--I guess he just prefers the old method at home and I'll allow him that (but heck I can still laugh.)
Now if you think I should just mind my own business and not try to "teach" things to him, well I have some words. My roommate will be interviewing for MBA-level internships starting in three weeks. What's going to happen if he smells? You think anyone will hire him? What about his classmates/teammates at school? Why should I let him learn the hard way when I can just tell him straight up "dude you smell" and let him get over it. So far I've tried with subtle hints (bought him a P&G/Gillette starter package) but I don't think he's using regularly, so I will be upfront about it. My hope is that by living with me, he'll learn how to live in this country and it'll be a much quicker and smoother adjustment. Like I said before...my dad had to learn things on his own the hard way. I want to make things easier.
And hell, I'll learn a few things from him too (like how to make good Indian chai with looseleaf tea, spices and gingerroot! Score!)
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