I see people!
I love observing people. If there was a way I could learn to monetize this speciality, I could do wonders. I could be a psychologist but that is way too much effort. Being a stay-at-home mum (never knew I would end up using this term for myself), I often feel isolated in a world where one's life is largely dictated by this toddler and his whims and though he is adorable and mine and all of that, it does get to me sometimes. In such times, I choose the outlet of attending a house party or some such social evening. Watching other like species often rejuvenates and at certain times leaves me very grateful for what I have. So, it really is a win-win.
- Going to these dos often leaves me baffled. For one, most of the Indian women these days seem to be dressed in attire that suddenly seems very alien...cleavage showing tops, short dresses....shorter the better. Not that I mind it. I wear some of these myself. Super if people are comfortable with their bodies. I am all for confidence but what irks me is when dress sense is equated to being liberal or 'modern' or 'hip'...it's truly sad when labels like 'behenji' becomes such an easy stamp, almost like a "made in india" tag, for anyone who chooses to dress Indian (read, ethnic salwar kameez/ sari)
So, while I was fitting in and doing the social talk, I happened to be caught between two women, meeting for the first time. One, who was down on a brief visit to India from the US and another, who was married to Mr. Moneybags, who kept US time and hence was on
conference calls at twilight hour, India time. So, given her predicament, the lady sadly exclaimed that she wasn't getting any. That took me some time to register. Once I heard loud guffaws from the US return is when it 'chamkoed'. Ah, funny or not! Talking sex is again viewed as being'cool' and this chick was trying so hard.
Another cool factor these days is having nannies / maids around to help with the kids. These are now the new fashion statement and
they are taken everywhere, to restaurants and even out of town vacations. I seem to be the only sore thumb to this rule. So, while I try and feed the boy, I see several nannies run around kids while the mothers have some time socializing. Maybe, I am a sucker for punishment but I just can't get used to the idea. I have to admit that the idea is fantastic, anything to get some time off but for
me, getting the 'right' nanny whom I would be comfortable with seems a far more daunting task. Besides, most of them seem more stylishly dressed than I. Having a hip nanny may end up making me look like the maid! So, in wanting to keep my mummy status intact, I abandon the nagging nanny thought.
Then, there are the single men who on seeing a kid, love to look involved and interested by wanting to carry them. If you pay close
attention, there will always be a girl around to impress. Nothing gets a woman better than a man with paternal / nurturing instincts.
Then, there are those, who are truly talented and gifted and completely ill at ease at these cool dos. I find them most interesting actually. I kept observing the one person who seemed to be observing everyone else. He happened to be one of the stalwarts of
Indian advertising. As my eyes tailed him, I realized he was the most down to earth person there. Quiet and observant, he was just
taking it all in. Later as I heard his loud laughter and his easy banter in pure Hindi, a language not spoken as well these days, I was in
awe. I think that's what people with pure talent and charisma do...they don't work too hard at creating perceptions with
trivial banter. They are comfortable being themselves and in being who they are, they truly stand out. It's not surprising that this
deep person had come up with such amazing creative lines like... "Har ghar kuch kehata hai". As deep as his baritone and
as loud as his laughter, this man really made my day. Just being in the midst of such talent was in itself inspiring. The others just made his relevance and their irrelevance even more noticeable.
- Going to these dos often leaves me baffled. For one, most of the Indian women these days seem to be dressed in attire that suddenly seems very alien...cleavage showing tops, short dresses....shorter the better. Not that I mind it. I wear some of these myself. Super if people are comfortable with their bodies. I am all for confidence but what irks me is when dress sense is equated to being liberal or 'modern' or 'hip'...it's truly sad when labels like 'behenji' becomes such an easy stamp, almost like a "made in india" tag, for anyone who chooses to dress Indian (read, ethnic salwar kameez/ sari)
So, while I was fitting in and doing the social talk, I happened to be caught between two women, meeting for the first time. One, who was down on a brief visit to India from the US and another, who was married to Mr. Moneybags, who kept US time and hence was on
conference calls at twilight hour, India time. So, given her predicament, the lady sadly exclaimed that she wasn't getting any. That took me some time to register. Once I heard loud guffaws from the US return is when it 'chamkoed'. Ah, funny or not! Talking sex is again viewed as being'cool' and this chick was trying so hard.
Another cool factor these days is having nannies / maids around to help with the kids. These are now the new fashion statement and
they are taken everywhere, to restaurants and even out of town vacations. I seem to be the only sore thumb to this rule. So, while I try and feed the boy, I see several nannies run around kids while the mothers have some time socializing. Maybe, I am a sucker for punishment but I just can't get used to the idea. I have to admit that the idea is fantastic, anything to get some time off but for
me, getting the 'right' nanny whom I would be comfortable with seems a far more daunting task. Besides, most of them seem more stylishly dressed than I. Having a hip nanny may end up making me look like the maid! So, in wanting to keep my mummy status intact, I abandon the nagging nanny thought.
Then, there are the single men who on seeing a kid, love to look involved and interested by wanting to carry them. If you pay close
attention, there will always be a girl around to impress. Nothing gets a woman better than a man with paternal / nurturing instincts.
Then, there are those, who are truly talented and gifted and completely ill at ease at these cool dos. I find them most interesting actually. I kept observing the one person who seemed to be observing everyone else. He happened to be one of the stalwarts of
Indian advertising. As my eyes tailed him, I realized he was the most down to earth person there. Quiet and observant, he was just
taking it all in. Later as I heard his loud laughter and his easy banter in pure Hindi, a language not spoken as well these days, I was in
awe. I think that's what people with pure talent and charisma do...they don't work too hard at creating perceptions with
trivial banter. They are comfortable being themselves and in being who they are, they truly stand out. It's not surprising that this
deep person had come up with such amazing creative lines like... "Har ghar kuch kehata hai". As deep as his baritone and
as loud as his laughter, this man really made my day. Just being in the midst of such talent was in itself inspiring. The others just made his relevance and their irrelevance even more noticeable.