Culture Cue: When in India: Not using Richard Gere as your role model, PDA cont.

Posted April 21st, 2007 by CWright

So as not to give an entirely lopsided view of India, I feel I must add to my previous post about an overaffectionate Richard Gere.

Sex sells here just as much as anywhere. Indian television, Bollywood movies, the MTV's of India attest to unbridled emotion and seduction.

The difference lies still in the tradition of India- the strong culture of family and obedience, arranged marriages where social standing, education, and family stand as more important criteria than the fleeting feelings of romantic love.

That tradition appears to be changing -is it due to many Indians raised, living and working abroad, eventually importing these cultural differences back to India? I suppose the easy access to the Internet and social networking encourages these new attitudes as well.

You never know when, why or what will agitiate the Moral Police of India as well. They have had full coverage in the Indian press recently. They are now burning Richard Gere in effigy thanks to his overaffectionate kiss of Bollywood star and Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty. The next day, they beat up a University Professor for taunting women. If he was indeed taunting women, then I am glad for some protection- but violence by vigilantes? I don't see how that is going to help.

So while the majority of Indians may not be shocked by hand holding, or kissing, or even shaking hands, tradition still holds strong, especially the further you distance yourself from cosmopolitan areas, so be forewarned. My advice still holds-save any physical closeness for the privacy of your own quarters.