One thing that I still haven't quite gotten used to is the hierarchy that exists across all aspects of society here in India. It was certainly a bit of a shock to come here four years ago doing social enterprise work, and then have what Indians call a "houseboy" come and bring me tea first thing in the morning (and sleep on the floor of the kitchen at night).
People from home ask me whether the caste structure still exists, and I'm not quite sure how to answer that. Most people I interact with are extremely liberal in their views on caste, yet if probed more deeply, they could also say exactly what caste all of our friends/acquaintances are.
For me, what I can't quite comprehend is how hierarchical the society is, yet at the same time how socialist it is as well. Perhaps it's precisely because levels are more or less "fixed", that there's a sense that the rich should take care of the poor... versus a place like the US, where economic hierarchy can be much more fluid.
There's a funny side to this hierarchy as well.
Exhibit A: Service staff are used to calling everyone at the "top" of the socioeconomic hierarchy as "sir". I don't think it's really occurred to many that there's a gender associated with this as well. Thus, I get called "sir" numerous times on a daily basis!
Exhibit B: The picture speaks for itself. Tyler and I go to meet our friend Rob, who's playing an ultimate frisbee tournament in Gurgaon. The cricket stadium clearly sees the need to offer not just VIP Toilets, but VVIP Toilets!!
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