That is true.
Just a few points.
One abt easier to adapt than rebel--not me. I can adapt if I feel something is right or better not for petty reasons. I am not a rebel. I just want to lead my own life in peace. Is that so much to ask? If I wear jeans to the grocery store, it is not bec I wanna show off but bec waering a salwar kameez means my having to wash 3 pieces of clothing, wearing jeans means just one.
Regarding sticking out like a sore thumb--yes it happens to me all the time bec even if I wear a sari, mine would be probably an Oriya cotton or a Pochumpalli or something diff ethnic. And difference seems to irk the people around so much. I hate people staring at me and I hate the men who just imagine it is their right to comment on any woman walking on the street. I hate the women who are both jealous of my independence and yet look at me as a freak. I remember my friend coming back from the US and saying--no I do not wish to come out shopping. people just stare so. She, born and brought up here!!!
I hate this pervasive interference in one's life--where are U going, what are U doing, x, y, z, bla bla bla. Curiosity, malice, talking behind one's back.
I dunno abt US society but I know that even in the metros--Mds, Bombay and so on, no one gives a damn how U dress, how U wear Ur hair, whether U take a bus or an auto (yeah that is a big point of discussion here for people) whether U stay alone or in a house of 10 or anything at all. Sure it is the same in the US too. That U can walk on the road without feeling a 100 eyes on U.
I have been to areas in Hyd on my own or with a friend, us in jeans--areas where all the women in sight for a mile wear burkhas and not a peep from the men there. No comments, no sniggers, no nasty looks, no sly winks. U feel good in such places. U feel happy and confident.
That is why I say Kerala is narrow minded. I have been to a tiny place like Haridwar. The whole city is vegetarian. No no veg allowed. Traditional place with a temple wherever U look. Yet there is more freedom on the roads. Maybe bec they are used to tourists. But aren't Mallus too?
Kerala probably has the largest percent of working women. Working as in with jobs--not farm or such work. Most number of educated women. Most number of educated men!!!! What is it all worth?
There was a survey too on this in one of the local papers on how 'eve-teasing' is most prevelant in Kerala and how working women are harassed. But more than all this what bothers me is the women themselves. The worst enemies of any woman diff from them.
Khair not really a thread to be discussing all this but I do think the relative anonymity one gets in a big city is a luxury.
QUOTE(unni @ Sep 26 2005, 07:54 PM)
But members of HF have no right to complain about "old-fashioned" and 'traditional values"! Just that we seek the fastest internet connection to obtain rare old tracks!
What on earth is that!!!!!
BTW where U born like this?