Lots of our friends/family reacted strongly when they found out we were moving to India. Here were a few of their reactions, concerns, and questions (minus the names of course).
"So, you are only going because your husband got promoted, right?"
My answer: First off, there is a glaring assumption in this one that means no one would move to India unless it involved work and lots of money. I will say that it helped my husband's career that he got promoted. It meant I didn't have to work while we live in India. But no, I personally wanted to move to India to learn how to need less stuff in my life to make me happy. How to use the resources I have already gained (for example: clothes, food, books) and only purchase items when I need them. I might be channeling Gandhi a little bit there. My husband moved to India to learn about a new and quickly growing population of shoppers and how to fulfill the basic needs of a population in a single retail location...which by its self is quite ambitious and interesting to hear about each day.
"What are YOU going to do ALL DAY?"
My answer: Stare into space. Just kidding. I was asked this question every day for the first month we announced we were leaving the US to move to India. My answer was always the same... to do lots and lots of whatever I want to do. Yoga. Painting. Reading. Cooking. Volunterring. Basically whatever I could have done in the US but my excuses kept getting in my way. I really hope when I return to the US I will keep doing all these great things I have been devoting time to during my days here. Note: It is funny but I had supplies for most of these hobbies already but just hadn't used them until moving here. What do you have in your closet you have been meaning to do or try?
"Aren't you worried you'll get malaria?"
My answer: Dear God...they have malaria here...no one told me about the malaria!!! Just kidding. If you take the anti-malaria pills and stay diligent about killing mosquitos daily you are fine. Kill em when you see em and don't leave doors/windows open at night without screens on them.
"You better enjoy beef now cause you won't have any over there."
My answer: Well I see cows everywhere in India. On the streets, in fields, beside office buildings. Everywhere. Sometimes I run up to them, pour on some A-1 sauce, and just bite 'em on the rump. That fufills my need for beef. :) No? You knew I was kidding on that one. There are lots of American/European restaurants here for a person to enjoy beef or pork on a regular basis.
"Where/How will you buy groceries?"
My answer: Easy, just like you do....at the grocery store. :) Just remember to take along a reusable grocery bag ( I have a HUGE canvas one that I purchased from LL Bean years ago that I used in the US that works like a charm here too. Everything fits in that one big bag!!!) In India if you don't bring a bag you have to pay for a reusable cloth one. I think the US needs to start this practice! Side note: Then the saying would change from "paper or plastic?" to "your bag or...your bag?"
"You had better take lots of food, clothes, and bedding. You can't find those over there."
My answer: Have you been to India! This place has a mall on every street corner.
"How many people will be working for you at your house?"
My answer: One. My husband. Just kidding! (Lance will laugh when he reads that!!!) No, this is a good question. We have a hand full of security guards outside of our house (these are required by my husband's employer). We have one gardener and one pool cleaner (to keep the yard looking good as required by the neighborhood association people). We have two drivers (also required by my husband's employer so we don't kill ourselves while trying to drive here....which I am sad to say would happen if we tried). So the only additional help is the cleaner who helps keep the house in shape from the torrential amount of dust that tries to invade our home daily. The cleaner was my only stated request. :)
"Wow, it sounds like an easy life for you."
My answer: It is easier in many ways AND it is harder than living in the US in other ways. Many challenges were not what I was expecting at all (for an example you can read back to the earlier post about trying to find a plunger or learn how to take a 3 minute shower). I will write a post about the harder differences one of these days.
"What do you think about how you will contribute to the caste system and crippling poverty over there?"
My answer: How you are contributing to it where you live? What are you doing to change things in your home town? It is everywhere in the world. It just manifests in different ways and at different levels. The only thing you can do is try to be a good person no matter where you live (show compassion, pay people what you owe them, help others when you can, educate when someone willingly gives you the opportunity, and volunteer your time/energy).
"So, you are only going because your husband got promoted, right?"
My answer: First off, there is a glaring assumption in this one that means no one would move to India unless it involved work and lots of money. I will say that it helped my husband's career that he got promoted. It meant I didn't have to work while we live in India. But no, I personally wanted to move to India to learn how to need less stuff in my life to make me happy. How to use the resources I have already gained (for example: clothes, food, books) and only purchase items when I need them. I might be channeling Gandhi a little bit there. My husband moved to India to learn about a new and quickly growing population of shoppers and how to fulfill the basic needs of a population in a single retail location...which by its self is quite ambitious and interesting to hear about each day.
"What are YOU going to do ALL DAY?"
My answer: Stare into space. Just kidding. I was asked this question every day for the first month we announced we were leaving the US to move to India. My answer was always the same... to do lots and lots of whatever I want to do. Yoga. Painting. Reading. Cooking. Volunterring. Basically whatever I could have done in the US but my excuses kept getting in my way. I really hope when I return to the US I will keep doing all these great things I have been devoting time to during my days here. Note: It is funny but I had supplies for most of these hobbies already but just hadn't used them until moving here. What do you have in your closet you have been meaning to do or try?
"Aren't you worried you'll get malaria?"
My answer: Dear God...they have malaria here...no one told me about the malaria!!! Just kidding. If you take the anti-malaria pills and stay diligent about killing mosquitos daily you are fine. Kill em when you see em and don't leave doors/windows open at night without screens on them.
"You better enjoy beef now cause you won't have any over there."
My answer: Well I see cows everywhere in India. On the streets, in fields, beside office buildings. Everywhere. Sometimes I run up to them, pour on some A-1 sauce, and just bite 'em on the rump. That fufills my need for beef. :) No? You knew I was kidding on that one. There are lots of American/European restaurants here for a person to enjoy beef or pork on a regular basis.
"Where/How will you buy groceries?"
My answer: Easy, just like you do....at the grocery store. :) Just remember to take along a reusable grocery bag ( I have a HUGE canvas one that I purchased from LL Bean years ago that I used in the US that works like a charm here too. Everything fits in that one big bag!!!) In India if you don't bring a bag you have to pay for a reusable cloth one. I think the US needs to start this practice! Side note: Then the saying would change from "paper or plastic?" to "your bag or...your bag?"
"You had better take lots of food, clothes, and bedding. You can't find those over there."
My answer: Have you been to India! This place has a mall on every street corner.
"How many people will be working for you at your house?"
My answer: One. My husband. Just kidding! (Lance will laugh when he reads that!!!) No, this is a good question. We have a hand full of security guards outside of our house (these are required by my husband's employer). We have one gardener and one pool cleaner (to keep the yard looking good as required by the neighborhood association people). We have two drivers (also required by my husband's employer so we don't kill ourselves while trying to drive here....which I am sad to say would happen if we tried). So the only additional help is the cleaner who helps keep the house in shape from the torrential amount of dust that tries to invade our home daily. The cleaner was my only stated request. :)
"Wow, it sounds like an easy life for you."
My answer: It is easier in many ways AND it is harder than living in the US in other ways. Many challenges were not what I was expecting at all (for an example you can read back to the earlier post about trying to find a plunger or learn how to take a 3 minute shower). I will write a post about the harder differences one of these days.
"What do you think about how you will contribute to the caste system and crippling poverty over there?"
My answer: How you are contributing to it where you live? What are you doing to change things in your home town? It is everywhere in the world. It just manifests in different ways and at different levels. The only thing you can do is try to be a good person no matter where you live (show compassion, pay people what you owe them, help others when you can, educate when someone willingly gives you the opportunity, and volunteer your time/energy).
Awesome post!!!!!! T
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