Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Like it here or in India?

When I was in India dreaming of coming to US, even plane ride was a big thing for me. I felt excited at the thought of sitting in a plane and landing in US.
Things that really bugged me in India were: You are always being watched..on the road, in the house, in a restaurant, in a bus..specially being a women u r always under scanner..all the worst if you are from some small city where guys scan your body from top to bottom without shame as soon as you step out. So moms are kind of liable to keep check on what kind of clothes do you wear...salwar kameez with a long scarf covering your breasts is what was acceptable when you stepped into teenage..but they didnt know that even this wont prevent anyone from gazing at you. So I am came to US and felt like a free bird not having to worry about what I should wear and what I should cover and who is watching me..on the contrary I found it odd that guys didnt pay any attention to the girl passing by. Later I realized thats called etiquete..which I found completely lacking in the world I come from.
Then I got married. My husband has been in US so I was spared from having to deal with Indian inlaws woes on a day today basis. But when they are here with us or when we visit them, I am pulled back to 18th century..where I am not suppose to do the way I please but spent my entire time pleasing my inlaws. Make fresh meals for them three times a day, take bath in the morning, serve fresh chapatis along with fresh food at every meal, make food 7 days of the week, dont go out for any meal, clean your house daily with vacuum.Also, wear Indian clothes all the time. Sometimes even when you are going for a picnic:-).So I become a daughter in law from 18th century..go to work, come back and make tea for in laws and the dinner for entire family..ignore your baby..they will look after him..but dont forget to serve fresh chapathis right from burner to their plate....we dont care..if you slogged the entire day at work but this is what DILs are suppose to be doing.
Given all this, US became a heaven for me away from this daily labor. I enjoyed it when I was by myself with my children and husband. I lived the way I wanted and what suited my circumstances. I love working here and spending my day today life with the freedom that every human being deserves without the fear of being under a scanner or fear of being a 18th century daughter in law(labor I must say?)