Why is Indian culture often seen as so mystical??

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Descartes
It's simply not a culture that everyone has the opportunity to which they can expose themselves. My fiance is Indian (from Hyderabad), and there is quite a bit of mysticism in her beliefs as she is a Brahmin. What I find most intriguing is the philosophy, and there's little correlation with any religious ceremony or doctrine in its utility.

I love Indian culture, especially the food (I mainly eat dry curries, but love any dahl). The only thing that I don't quite like is the level of conservatism among some. I find that most Americans are willing to expose themselves to something new, but that I often hit a wall with those that remain in India. Their guru might not agree, their astrologer might not agree, someone not from their caste might be disagreeable, etc. etc. I understand it's part of the culture, but mysticism is one thing; allowing it to divide people is another.

For the record, I'm caucasian.

Whoa, awesome. I was born in Hyderabad as well. I'm Brahmin as well. Does she speak Telugu?

Yes she does. I can speak a fair amount of Telugu and can usually follow conversations as well. She also speaks Hindi, and most of her friends are northerners that also speak Hindi.

How did her parents take the whole 'My daughter is marrying a white guy' situation (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm currently in a relationship with a Spanish girl and my parents have accepted that fact although they're not thrilled as they would rather have me date an Indian girl.

Ahh, long story. Her dad actually likes me and is incredibly happy with the situation. He wants to take me around India to show me his places of worship, etc. Her dad is very much a spiritual person and a great conversationalist. The rest of her family is happy with the situation as well as they firmly believe I'm a person that can "take care of her" (not just in a financial sense--you know what I mean).

Her mom is not at all happy. She's getting better, but we're not getting married until she comes around. Her mom won't even talk to me yet She's very much a, "You should marry an Indian from your own caste" type of person.

Thanks for asking.

[edit]Just saw your request for pics. I'll ask her, but I'm guessing she'll say no Most people say she's very beautiful/pretty, and of course I think so as well . I'll see...[/edit]

Wow, first let me say I have been dating a Gujrathi girl for 3 years now and I get along fine with her parents. The conservatism and intolerance is what pisses me off with the Indian culture in general.

You rarely hear at least where I am from of a white family objecting to their son/daughter dating/marrying (fill in race here). I am white by the way. If my gf's mother wouldn't even have the common respect to talk to me I would have a very hard time with it. I guess most significant others put up with "very ethnic" parents because they are committed to their gf/bf but that is almost too much. I guess I got lucky with my gf though.

 

[dennilfloss]

Why is Indian culture often seen as so mystical??

It's because they use very long & mysterious words and names.

 

[athithi]

Originally posted by: dennilfloss

Why is Indian culture often seen as so mystical??

It's because they use very long & mysterious words and names.

...or because of stuff like this

If I made a wisecrack about your reincarnation, would it be bannable?

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: athithi

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
They're only doing well in those industries because of cheap labor and a solid education system for those who make it through. In all honesty, much of India is still poverty.

Btw...to put it into prospective. Accountants in India get paid around $10k a year I think....Computer Programmers around $15k a year. Even if those numbers are off some, the average is that a company can employ 3 Indians or one American....not counting benefits.

The country is mystical because Americans, at least, are closed minded and only know what they learn from movies. They picture a substandard society with monkeys running around everywhere...oh wait, they do.

Right, and Indians are probably as close-minded and picture America as a land of gun-toting maniacs who keep shooting kids in schools...oh wait...naw, too easy

I don't know about gun-toting, but a lot of Indians seem to think that:

1) We're all Christian.
2) We all want to convert Hindus to Christianity. This is probably an extension of 1.
3) We're all financially motivated. This is probably true to a large extent when you consider other countries.

This is my experience only, but I draw that from a few dozen Indian friends, my fiance and her family. That said, most that live in the US for any period of time realize that this isn't anymore true than the idea that all Indians are mystics working in IT.

For what it's worth, if I were of "pure" blood (that is, I was purely one ethnicity and remained in that country) I would understand the hesitation parents have in releasing their children to another culture, especially one as pervasive as that in America. I think that thinking in extremes allows for an easier segregation of ideas and helps facilitate a level of cohesiveness in those cultures.

IMO.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: ScottFern

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Descartes
It's simply not a culture that everyone has the opportunity to which they can expose themselves. My fiance is Indian (from Hyderabad), and there is quite a bit of mysticism in her beliefs as she is a Brahmin. What I find most intriguing is the philosophy, and there's little correlation with any religious ceremony or doctrine in its utility.

I love Indian culture, especially the food (I mainly eat dry curries, but love any dahl). The only thing that I don't quite like is the level of conservatism among some. I find that most Americans are willing to expose themselves to something new, but that I often hit a wall with those that remain in India. Their guru might not agree, their astrologer might not agree, someone not from their caste might be disagreeable, etc. etc. I understand it's part of the culture, but mysticism is one thing; allowing it to divide people is another.

For the record, I'm caucasian.

Whoa, awesome. I was born in Hyderabad as well. I'm Brahmin as well. Does she speak Telugu?

Yes she does. I can speak a fair amount of Telugu and can usually follow conversations as well. She also speaks Hindi, and most of her friends are northerners that also speak Hindi.

How did her parents take the whole 'My daughter is marrying a white guy' situation (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm currently in a relationship with a Spanish girl and my parents have accepted that fact although they're not thrilled as they would rather have me date an Indian girl.

Ahh, long story. Her dad actually likes me and is incredibly happy with the situation. He wants to take me around India to show me his places of worship, etc. Her dad is very much a spiritual person and a great conversationalist. The rest of her family is happy with the situation as well as they firmly believe I'm a person that can "take care of her" (not just in a financial sense--you know what I mean).

Her mom is not at all happy. She's getting better, but we're not getting married until she comes around. Her mom won't even talk to me yet She's very much a, "You should marry an Indian from your own caste" type of person.

Thanks for asking.

[edit]Just saw your request for pics. I'll ask her, but I'm guessing she'll say no Most people say she's very beautiful/pretty, and of course I think so as well . I'll see...[/edit]

Wow, first let me say I have been dating a Gujrathi girl for 3 years now and I get along fine with her parents.

:thumbsup:

The conservatism and intolerance is what pisses me off with the Indian culture in general.

I agree. For me it's mostly the intolerance. I understand if you are ignorant as to what kind of a person I, and others like me, might be; however, give someone a chance. That said, I can understand their hesitation (see my previous post).

You rarely hear at least where I am from of a white family objecting to their son/daughter dating/marrying (fill in race here). I am white by the way. If my gf's mother wouldn't even have the common respect to talk to me I would have a very hard time with it. I guess most significant others put up with "very ethnic" parents because they are committed to their gf/bf but that is almost too much. I guess I got lucky with my gf though.

Agreed. My family loves her, and she was family to them the moment I told my family how I felt about her. She talks to my mom as though she would a friend.

Ahh well. We'll see what time cures...

 

[dethman]

i don't think it's mystical i think indian people are all full of shat

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: kalster

Originally posted by: Descartes
It's simply not a culture that everyone has the opportunity to which they can expose themselves. My fiance is Indian (from Hyderabad), and there is quite a bit of mysticism in her beliefs as she is a Brahmin. What I find most intriguing is the philosophy, and there's little correlation with any religious ceremony or doctrine in its utility.

I love Indian culture, especially the food (I mainly eat dry curries, but love any dahl). The only thing that I don't quite like is the level of conservatism among some. I find that most Americans are willing to expose themselves to something new, but that I often hit a wall with those that remain in India. Their guru might not agree, their astrologer might not agree, someone not from their caste might be disagreeable, etc. etc. I understand it's part of the culture, but mysticism is one thing; allowing it to divide people is another.

For the record, I'm caucasian.

Nice, me and my wife are from Hyderabad too, have you tried Hyderabadi Biryani, its pretty tasty

Believe it or not, we're making it tonight. It's delicious. My favorite is still just your average curry though. I prefer gobi curry for some reason. I absolutely love it. Spinach dahl would be next. I could eat those everyday (and often do), but like the occasional rajmah masala, gobi manchuria for snacks, malai kofta, etc.

Gobi curry is great, south Indian food is the best though. Living close to bay area we have some amazing south Indian restaurants. Nothing beats Idli/sambar for breakfast

 

[ScottFern]

The one thing that I can NOT get used to is the fact that when I leave her house my pillow, clothes, jacket all stink of curry.

 

[dandruff]

:laugh:

 

[GasX]

2 words: Kama Sutra

 

[Vic]

60's hippies.


$10k is big money in India. I know this is hard for the economically-disinclined to believe, but the value of money is purely relative and abstract. Money does not have a fixed intrinsic value.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Descartes
It's simply not a culture that everyone has the opportunity to which they can expose themselves. My fiance is Indian (from Hyderabad), and there is quite a bit of mysticism in her beliefs as she is a Brahmin. What I find most intriguing is the philosophy, and there's little correlation with any religious ceremony or doctrine in its utility.

I love Indian culture, especially the food (I mainly eat dry curries, but love any dahl). The only thing that I don't quite like is the level of conservatism among some. I find that most Americans are willing to expose themselves to something new, but that I often hit a wall with those that remain in India. Their guru might not agree, their astrologer might not agree, someone not from their caste might be disagreeable, etc. etc. I understand it's part of the culture, but mysticism is one thing; allowing it to divide people is another.

For the record, I'm caucasian.

Whoa, awesome. I was born in Hyderabad as well. I'm Brahmin as well. Does she speak Telugu?

Yes she does. I can speak a fair amount of Telugu and can usually follow conversations as well. She also speaks Hindi, and most of her friends are northerners that also speak Hindi.

How did her parents take the whole 'My daughter is marrying a white guy' situation (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm currently in a relationship with a Spanish girl and my parents have accepted that fact although they're not thrilled as they would rather have me date an Indian girl.

Ahh, long story. Her dad actually likes me and is incredibly happy with the situation. He wants to take me around India to show me his places of worship, etc. Her dad is very much a spiritual person and a great conversationalist. The rest of her family is happy with the situation as well as they firmly believe I'm a person that can "take care of her" (not just in a financial sense--you know what I mean).

Her mom is not at all happy. She's getting better, but we're not getting married until she comes around. Her mom won't even talk to me yet She's very much a, "You should marry an Indian from your own caste" type of person.

Thanks for asking.

[edit]Just saw your request for pics. I'll ask her, but I'm guessing she'll say no Most people say she's very beautiful/pretty, and of course I think so as well . I'll see...[/edit]

How is your Telugu accent? Are you able to make all the funky sounds in the language? I've tried teaching my GF some stuff but there are certain sounds or sequences of sounds that she can't quite get. The most common example being a half-sound followed by a full sound. Not sure how to explain it, but take 'Amma' for example. When she tries to say it, it becomes 'Ama'.

Yeah, I figured if anyone would have given you a problem, it would have been the mom. The situation is pretty much the same here. My dad really doesn't mind, but it's my mom that holds more reservations.

In my case, it's even somewhat difficult for them to grasp the concept of a girlfriend. My parents were arranged, their friends, family and pretty much everyone they know are arranged as well so they can't quite grasp the whole 'dating people' thing. They've never done it nor have they been exposed to it before so I think it's a question of them fearing the unknown as opposed to having a closed mind about it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Abhi
Urban india apes western culture.... Since the west approves of yoga.... urban india is also getting into yoga ...

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Btw...to put it into prospective. Accountants in India get paid around $10k a year I think....[/L]

Around $3k to $4k a year ...

Thanks. It's been a few months since I've read the articles that gave me an idea of the differences in payscale. India is a threat to many jobs in the US, Europe, and especially Ireland. Ireland took off with IT and Pharmaceutical companies...things are quickly shifting and India is getting many of the new growth in those areas. It will be short-lived though unless the education system can crank out higher numbers of high-end staffing. The things I've read suggest that both India and China are having or getting ready to have some major labor issues because too many companies have flooded the areas.

On top of that, it's caused major wage bloating in China. Eastern Europe is the next likely target for cheap labor and increased bio-tech jobs. They're trying to follow the footsteps of Ireland if they can kick political risk and corruption quickly enough and gain governmental stability to be accepted in the EU.