A Tribute to Indian Men: 7 good things
So lately a old blog entry I wrote on “things I dont’ get about men in India” has been getting a lot of traffic. Check it out if you want to read some of my unedited sometimes ridiculous thoughts on the topic and read the comments if you want some laughs, don’t mind the f-word flying around and might enjoy an Indian and a Latin American arguing over whether or not Indian men are a sexy breed. Anyway, I decided that since I have picked on Indian men quite a bit on this blog it was time for me to write a tribute. Of course as with the “things I don’t get” these are stereotypes based on my experience. I am writing this in honor of Abel who is an Indian national a good friend and who’s birthday is today. And before I say anything else I must mention Gandhi Ji who of course was one of the most amazing men in the world of the last century. May Mother India produce more men like him.
1. Committed- They are loyal, they are faithful. Once you are in, they would die for you.
2. Romantic- I sometimes wonder if Indians are the Latins of Asia (except the whole language thing). They are expresive, musical, colorful and sappy romantics. In my book this a good thing.
3. Hospitable- As much as Indians get a bad rap for being cheap and ruthless barginers, in my experience Indian men insist on paying for ladies and serving them (or having someone serve them). 
4. Protective- I have been walked home and checked on many times for my loving protection. And my chota bia (younger brother) even goes on my orket account and writes rude things to men who are hitting on me.
5. Affectionate (with Male Friends)- In some places men are seen holding hands with thier friends, walking with their arms around each other and sleeping cluddled up in a row. That’s right they like to spoon. Unlike American men, homophobia is not a problem as far as I can tell.
6. Love thier Mothers (and family)- There is commonly a very strong tie between mother and son. Sons are very devoted to thier mothers and families. In fact Gandhi was a devote Hindu and vegaterian in honor of his mother.
7. Tall, Dark, and Handsome- The debate may continue and some are horizontally challenged, but can I just say Abeshek Bachchan? A very good looking man, and he is not the only one.
“Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest of Us All?” Thoughts on Being White
If I could be any Disney princess I would be Jasmine. She has the best name, she has green eyes, long dark hair, a funky wardrobe—and tan skin. Plus Aladdin is pretty hot. But, alas I have pale skin. And for the time being my hair is cut in a bob. Especially in India, I feel more like Snow White than Jasmine. If you don’t know the story, Snow White is hated and envied by the evil queen because of her light completion. She flees from the evil queen and comes to live with seven dwarfs. There she is happy. They are brothers to her. But as long as the queen’s mirror says that snow white is the fairest of us all, the queen cannot rest. So, she poisons Snow White with a red apple that puts her into a coma until or unless she is kissed with a kiss of true love. Because this is Disney, prince charming eventually comes and kisses her, waking her from her sleep. 
I get a lot of attention in India. But instead of it being flattering, it is overwhelming and sometimes insulting. Insulting, because many people only see white skin when they look at me. The allure is not me, but my “white” skin. They call it white, but ever since I was a little girl with a box of crayons, that has been a point of confusion for me. I am glad that I am not literally white, because being the color of computer paper would so much more bland that this peachy translucent color that sometimes reveals my blue vains. But I wish I had more color. Being gold or being brown or black somehow looks more a live to me, but at least I am not literally white. It seems as though most people want to be lighter than they are—being light has status. When did that change among “white” Americans?
I suppose it must have begun to change during the industrial revolution when the masses worked in factories but the wealthy could vacation at the beach or sit by a swimming pool and their cheeks would become rosey in color. Before that the workers worked out in the field where they became tan and dark and the wealthy had the luxury of remaining in doors or being shaded when out doors. By the time I was in high school in the 1990’s the more “popular” you were the more your skin was “fake and baked” from the tanning bed. In the U.S. we have also been influenced by dark beauties. Who is more tall dark and handsome than Michael Jordan or Densel Washington? Plus, there is the inherent sinfulness in all of us that results in some self-hate and envy. If most of the world wants to be white, then of course the whites want to be dark. God help us.
