Landing in a Self-Help Zone
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BELONG ANYWHERE
The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited India in AD 637 and wrote about his observation in his book “Si-yu-ki” (Record of the Western Countries). According to him the caste system was rigid but women would get an education and there was no purdah system, the common people were simple and honest. Though it had many religions, there was complete tolerance among people of all religious faiths.
Such cultural accounts are very important in today’s globalized world.
As Chief travelling Officers of our own life, we must take account and respect other cultures, especially when in other countries. Being in IT Industry, I have been privileged to travel across the world and meet people from different cultures and spheres of life. In this series, I am sharing a few stories based on my experiences while working with people across the world.
What is your story?
click here to read all stories of BELONG ANYWHERE https://www.storyberrys.com/category/series/belong-anywhere/
Story 5: Landing in a Self-Help Zone
I was new to this country. Through a friend’s connect I got the reference of an elderly Indian couple, who accepted the proposal to take me as their paying guest for a week.
I landed at the airport and looked for someone who would have come to receive me. I saw an elderly person walking toward me, and asked “Are you, Mahesh?”. I was happy and nodded. He said, “Ok come on”.
I thought he would help me with my two big bags but he walked away, I abruptly picked up my bags and ran after him. I literally dragged my luggage. It was quite a walk till we reached a parking lot. He got into the car and opened the trunk. I lifted my bags and somehow managed to keep them inside. I was exhausted by now and then got in the car. I learned my first lesson – self-help is the best in this country. In India, we are used to being offered or getting some help if we have heavy luggage to move.
After a short drive, we reached his home. He parked the vehicle in the garage. He opened the door of the house and asked me to take out my luggage and let it be in the garage. He first showed me the room and asked me to bring the luggage carefully and not to break anything, else I have to pay for it. I was scared.
I kept the shoes outside the door. He said, no carry that to your own room. But just ensure that you vacuum the carpet on the weekend. That was my second lesson. This aspect is very different in India where we do not let guests do any cleaning work.
Once I had put my luggage in the room, he called me and showed me the refrigerator where the vegetables and other cooking ingredients were kept. He showed me the gas stove, chimney, and microwave oven and told me that I can cook my food and then wash the utensil and keep it back in the right place.
I hardly knew cooking. I just nodded. He told me that for that day if I wished, I could have some food which was already prepared. But from the next day, I would have to cook for myself. This was my third lesson.
I had the food. Please do not ask if I liked it or not. I hurried to my room. I was tired from the long journey, so I just started thinking, how long would I last here? I realized every country has a different culture. The expectation of the people is different. In a community-focused culture, people may like to remain in a group and help and support each other, but in many countries, people respect their and others’ freedom and privacy. It was all new to me. I told myself, ‘Welcome to the new world!’
So, if you are going to stay in a new country, please do explore the cultural aspects of that country. It will help to prepare you well.
Dinesh Kumar Singh