daily life
daily life
The difficulty of being married to an indian GET TO KNOW SHARELL FROM AUSTRALIA NOW LIVING IN MUMBAI, INDIA AS AN EXPAT AND MARRIED TI AN INDIAN GUY
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e’ve been married for almost year now, so his family have gotten used to and accepted me. I get along great with his friends, and they in turn treat me really well. They appreciate me for appreciating their culture, and trying to fit in. They even find me and my bad Hindi amusing at times. The biggest problem I have is with strangers’ reactions to our relationship. The fact that I am married to an Indian is greeted with shock by many Indians. I can read the expressions on their faces. Usually, it’s something along the lines of “why would she choose to marry him?”, as if my husband isn’t good enough for me. The situation isn’t helped by the fact that I’m taller than my husband. I’m quite tall by Western standards (175 centimetres/5 feet 9 inches), but I’m very tall by Indian standards. I’m way taller than a lot of Indian men.
Normally, I would prefer to be with someone taller than myself, but love is blind!. The point that I’m getting to though, is that I unfortunately and frustratingly tend to get treated with more respect than my husband. The way a person is treated in India is very much based on their position in society. In fact, upon meeting someone, the first thing that an Indian will usually do is determine that position, then act accordingly. That is one of the reasons why Indians ask so many intrusive questions, such as “what do your parents do?”, “have you been to college?”, “how much do you earn?” (yes, they really ask that!), “are you married?”, and “do you have children?”. to greet
to welcome someone with particular words or a particular action, or to react to something in the stated way.
tall
adjective, of more than average height, or of a particular height.
though
of more than average height, or of a particular height.
accordingly
adverb FORMAL, in a way that is suitable or right for the situation.
intrude
to go into a place or situation in which you are not wanted or not expected to be.
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