mind your own business!
Neeta and I are both back in Toronto. I got a bit of food poisoning the last few days and have just recovered woohoo!! One thing I really wanted to let you guys know about traveling in India is people in India do not believe in the unstated rule of North American life which is to: Mind your own business!!
In North America if somebody is in line ahead of you and they are arguing with the person selling a ticket- well you might look at your shoes, or the sky or your watch- but never would you walk up to the person ahead of you- stand beside them with your shoulders touching- practically cheek to cheek and listen to the conversation and then join in adding your two cents!!
In India this is normal and not unexpected- at any time someone can stand beside you- very close to you- and join your conversation with someone else!
The rule of life in India is to mind everyone else's business!! This is a good rule!! (sometimes). We enjoyed listening to many peoples conversations! By the end of the trip, I was one of those people who would walk up to a random stranger ahead of me in line, stand shoulder to shoulder and listen to their conversation! They never seemed to mind (I think).
Tip: If you're in trouble
If you're ever in trouble and start talking loudly a crowd will surround you- people will be in your business in a flash! They will join in to whatever is happening, they will not ignore you! This is a good thing, it kept us feeling pretty safe.