Recently on Twitter, the tweeple were sharing their fun and funny moments/observations about living at home with parents. Obviously, few Indians had contributions to make to the conversation. In this sense, we Indians are pretty sorted: why go and live elsewhere when parents are happy to have you at home? Why spend rent and other money when there is a loving home base already in place? Well, some western customs are plain weird, IMHO!
Indian parents are loving and nurturing to the point of spoiling kids; even grown-up kids. That adoring Indian mother is only concerned with whether her child is eating enough and not being hassled by anyone – she would never, never ask her child to pay for the utilities!
Indian parents have financial frugality ingrained in them. If they haven’t been able to sufficiently indoctrinate their children in this department, they will feel that they have failed utterly in their attempt to bring up decent, responsible children!
Temperance, sacrifice, delaying gratification… are all virtues in the Indian parents’ belief system. Splurging is simply not a part of the scheme of things!
If the mother of the house has a problem, everyone will know about it. Not only the family but the pet, the maid, the subziwala, the neighbours and the extended family as well.
Which Indian mother hasn’t told her offspring to finish eating quickly because the maid is due? Which Indian mother hasn’t told the family not to be so messy – because what will the maid think?
In the west, moving out of the parental home is considered a part of growing up and earning one's own independence. In India, we’d rather save a bit of money! Plus, घर का खाना! (home cooked food).
In the west it is expected for kids above a certain age to move out. If they don’t, they come in for quite a bit of ridicule. In India, there is no such requirement or expectation – thank goodness!
For most Indians who had to shift out of their home for logistical reasons such as a job in another city; moving back just counts as coming back home! OK, so your parents want to know what time you will get home; but then your clothes are washed and ironed almost as if by magic! What’s a little information sharing when compared with not having to do your own laundry, cook your food and pay your bills!
There are some problems only a mummy can sort out. There are some hurt feelings that can only be soothed by daddy’s hug. Independence and the need for privacy seem too pale in comparison to a welcoming home and loving parents and that timeless parent-child bond! There are some things that we Indians have sorted. Maybe the West can learn.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
