dependence

I think if I've learned one thing in India, it's to be more submissive. This goes against every fiber of my being. During the first few weeks I fought it. I wanted to scream "I can do it myself!" at least a dozen times a day. I even looked the phrase up in the Hindi language book that I purchased to no avail. But, alas, I have learned to let go and have things done for me. For instance, there is a guy at my gym who's sole purpose of being there is to re-rack people's weights. The first few trips to "Steel" were frustrating. If I grabbed a weight or a bar, an assistant was over trying to help. Now I just let him help me instead of shaking my head furiously and saying "achcha nahe" (which means not good)! That got a few laughs out of the guys at the gym at least :)

The cheep labor makes having servants or assistants common for the middle and upper class. This dependence has led to inefficiency. At the little grocery stands around work there are sometimes up to three workers: one to get down my order of crackers and cereal, another to take my money, and another at the cash register who puts the money in the register. Instead of this third man handing me back the change, it is handed to the man who took my change, who then hands it to me. After a short pause, a rush of Hindi is exchanged between man #2 and man #1 until #1 hands me the items that he has bagged up for me. This job could really be done by one person. The other two men then wouldn't have jobs then and I'm sure they're providing for their families on their minimal wages.
During our recent visit to Rishikesh the Indian men around us didn't let us pay for a thing (feminism be gone!) and planned everything. I didn't mind until it started to interfere with my plans. Then I had to raise my voice to get them to see that no, I did not want to eat more food. Refusing the slice of cake did not amount to me not liking cake and really wanting McDonald's. I promise. No seriously. And yes. I really do want to go to Haridwar. It's why I came up here. Really. I wouldn't lie about that. GAH!
So I've sort of learned to be more submissive. But the stubborn arse in me may never die. And I would prefer that it didn't because I quite like myself!