Cutting the Crap

After one point five months of acute observation, I have decided that the best way to describe Indian culture is that it truly cuts the crap. This can be noticed in almost every aspect of how they live, let me explain. No one ever says sorry, thank you, excuse me or any of those phrases that characterize manners as we know it in the West. If you push someone on the bus, no one says sorry because it was done out of necessity to get your ass on the damn crowded bus. In fact, I've been told that apologizing too much for small things actually demean the gesture. So I've had to refrain myself from the habitual "thank you" after every offer of food, "sorry" for accidentally touching someone, and "excuse me" after each burp or sneeze... Really, verbal communication is overrated.
Also, who needs cutlery when you can eat with your hands? and who needs tables and chairs when there's the floor and a couple of straw mats?
This is true even in their language: the meaningless words known as "articles" in the English language does not exist in Hindi. A phrase like "There is a spoon on the table" simply translates to "Chumcha maiz pur hai" (Spoon table on is).

Right, I've been getting request for more photos, and I'm working on it. There's only one computer in the office that can detect my USB, and its unfortunately not mine. Also I'm actually busy at work these days, doing a wide range of business development activities to support the handicraft unit. Thank god its Saturday, which means tomorrow is my one day off. Will spend it at the park playing frisbee I think....