In high school, we studied an essay in English titled "Keyhole Morals". The essence of this essay was, that we tend to lose our sense of morality and politeness, when no one is there to watch upon us.

Everytime I visit a particular stripmall dominated by desi stores and customers, I get reminded of the essay I studied in the school.

This strip mall is located in Brampton right opposite to the library where the CD site is banned. of the store owners are desi. Other than desi stores, there is a police station, a convenience store, CIBC and an Italian bakery. Also, since it is located in a "desi" ghetto, most of the customers visiting this places are desi.

Once you drive inside this mall, you realize that most of the drivers forget to obey common traffic rules and decent civilised behaviour.

(1) There is no concept of "right of way". There are all chances that you are driving and a car will back up, and it will be you who will be slamming the brakes and curse hard, while the person in the car will show no sign of remorse.

(2) People seem to lose sense of direction. Yesterday I saw an SUV parked perpendicular to parking spaces and obstructing the road leading inside the mall. Nobody cares about other drivers. Numerous times, I have seen cars parked in illegal spaces right across the police station creating inconvenince to other drivers.

(3) If you are a pedestrian, you have to look for car. Especially, if you are coming out of the grocery store carrying groceries, there are all chances you will be hit by a speeding acura or BMW, if you are not careful. I have seen a teenager driving an expensive car while looking around gawking at the ladies, with no attention on the road

(4) Most of the people tend to drive across the mall on the parking lanes rather than making their way thru the lanes.


I wonder why we "desis" tend to forget all the rules and manners acquired in Canada, once we enter a familiar setting. Or is it the case, that we need some "gora" to watch us or to make us obey the rules? Is that sense of slavery so ingrained in us.

Ideally, I would expect same behaviour from any person in any part of the world, as it is a basic tenet of a civilized society. However, is it too much to expect a normal behaviour from a fellow Indian in Canada?

We may be lax in following traffic rules in India, but do we have to keep the same habit in Canada? It feels that bad manners do not get forgotten, they just gets supressed and awake again when we enter a familar atmosphere.

Meghal

Nice observation, Meghal.
I would add three plaza's around Dundas-Hurontario intersection which follow the same "attitude" of your article. This is also true in many chinese plaza's. In one incident at a desi plaza, i had to honk since i was in the road and ths desi guy was reversing straight at my car. He stopped just millimetres away from my side door.
I am also peeved of the customer service in the desi stores. It is just like in India where they assume that you are being done a favour by purchasing desi goods from them. Therefore i now buy only from chinese stores and only the most essential items like maggige noodles,RIN soap etc.. that do i buy from Desi stores. They have disclaimers put that they will not accept the return of rotton coconuts. Also, once they see desi people , they assume that all desi's speak Hindi and we have to remind them often that we need to be serviced in english.
Just my observations.
TK A
Afternote : TK has read the post by Mightybukz (below) but will not reply to it in this thread as it deviates from the original topic and intent of this thread.

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

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Originally posted by tamilkuravan
Also, once they see desi people , they assume that all desi's speak Hindi and we have to remind them often that we need to be serviced in english.
Just my observations.
TK A

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Microsoft - Which end of the stick do you want today?

I have experienced the same lousy customer service extended by the Indian Consulate. I had to call persistently for 3 weeks just to have a simple query answered. The concerned person was always away from her seat. Often my call would automatically be disconnected or put on hold endlessly. You have to just venture inside the Consulate and you will be transported back to a 'sarkari daftar' in India. Counters which were supposed to open at 3pm, opened at 3:20pm only when someone rapped on the window. It seems the Government is a reflection of the citizens - or is it vice versa?

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goldie

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Originally posted by DesiTiger

Quote:

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Originally posted by tamilkuravan
Also, once they see desi people , they assume that all desi's speak Hindi and we have to remind them often that we need to be serviced in english.
Just my observations.
TK A

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Ok! I don't want to start a debate here or anything. All I want to say is that it may actually be in India's benefit as a nation to have one "true" national language (supposed to be Hindi but .........) in addition to the regional languages.

Unified Language means a Unified Nation - something that is crucial to India's very survival in the future.

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I thought this thread was started to discuss the not-so-good-manners behaviour by Indians and Indo-Cdns in Canada. Aren't we digressing?

Although, yes, I have to agree that TN is vehemently opposed to Hindi (and hence I too lack any skill in the language) and I think most reasons can be attributed to the fanatics in the TN politics/Govt.

And, yes again, Indian High Commission service sucks including instructions posted on-site and on-line.

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Dimple2001

sorry for digressing..just wanted to add to what desitiger wrote.

An example of what dimple2001 said about fanatics in TN politics: http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/12/22/stories/2004122210530100.htm

anyways continue with the actual topic of the thread .............