They are attached but the minute I took the camera out, some little beggar girl (another common sight) was pawing at me, begging for change. So there aren't very many. Indians have an entirely different view of personal space than Americans. People creep up next to you all the time and think nothing of it. I'm most aware of it in lines at stores. You can hear them breathing behind you. It doesn't feel threatening - just a bit claustrophobic. Even when you are stuck in traffic, people will come tap on the window looking for change - not to mention the scooters that squeeze into any space on the road they can fit.
And it has nothing to do with gender. Both men and women violate one another's personal space. Along those lines, it's not uncommon to see men of all ages holding hands, or with their arms around one another walking down the street.
It's also not uncommon and totally appropriate for men to take care of their business on the side of the road. (I hope I don't have to explain more...) Men in suits with computer bags, men in loin-clothes, boys, it doesn't matter.
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3 comments:
Whats up Raja?
sounds a lot like Malaysia. They do the food in a bag thing. Also drinks in a bag, like iced coffee in a sandwich bag with a straw. And the no hot water in the kitchen thing. But the only bugs we had were ants which would magically cover any food in a matter of minutes. Good times.
Business on the side of the road? I know what it means but I still love to see you try and explain that!
Kathleen - if I didn't know you to be an upstanding citizen I would think you were lying....
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