Minneapolis Life: Quirky Bangalore.

Some favorite Bangalore observations of culture and idiosyncricies that often make me chuckle...and at times flustered....or both...

1. Nobody has change. Coffee shops, chai stands, grocery stores, pharmacies, you name it. Even if the bill is 18 rupees and you had the guy a 20 rupee note, they ask- "Do you have change?"
2. "Have you had your lunch?" No matter the time of day a common small talk is not, "How are you?" or "How about this weather?" but "Have you had your lunch?" My favorite time someone asked me this was at 6:30 pm. um yup, had lunch.
3. Plastic bags are called carry bags. Take out containers are parcels. Take out is take away.
4. White sugar. It abounds in every tea coffee or dessert. so so sweet. I must admit, I miss the global conglamurent of Starbuck's. I don't need venti, tall, non-fat, skinny, flavor shots, americano, espresso, cappacino, mocha-banana-chocolate frappucinos as options, but a plain coffee with milk would suit me fine.
5. Indian Restaurant menus. It is all to common for indian menus to not only serve Indian, but interesting variations of Italian, Continental and Chinese. Very long menus, most items when ordering are unavailable. Wine list- 30 wines all with detailed tasting notes. Noteably, one or two wines are actually available.
6. Ketchup. Pizza, samosas, and other snacks are almost always served with ketchup packets.
7. "Tell Me." This is a common phrase for "What was it you'd like to ask me.?" This one I love. short, direct and to the point. However, sometimes it is said in the middle of your sentence or question. I am trying to tell you!
8. Trash. I haven't been anywhere else in the world where trash piles are anywhere you wish to create them. no garbage bags. and recycling...well...
9. Laughter yoga. Founded from a gentleman from Bangalore, laughter yoga is sometimes present from a group of men that gather in Cubbon Park. When walking in the morning, they greet one another with a hearty "Ho! HO! Ha HA ha!" Highly entertaining and makes me laugh typically as well. Guess it works!
10. Modes of Transportation. When walking, sauntering slowly is key. If walking fast, even for exercise in the park, people look at you like, "what's the hurry?" However, behind the wheel it is a whole new story- everyone wants to get to where they are going as fast as humanely possible.
11. Horn, Ok, Please. Honking horns is not rude, is not necessarily pushy, or to show aggression. It is a way of life. I am here, thank you. I am driving up the one way street the wrong direction-beep.beep. Most vehicles are tattooed with painted words, "Horn ok."
12. "Do the needful." A common phrase used by Bangaloreans meaning to "please take care of this or so you can do ____." My first time I heard this I was in my yoga class and as we started to do tree pose. the yoga teacher said, "I am going to go to the back of the room so you can do the needful."
13. Playboy bunny. That's right. The insignia is everywhere on shirts, sweaters, caps, cars- men and women both wear it like it is a Nike symbol. Perhaps the connotation is unknown?
14. Bike law helmet. Law states that motorcycle drivers must wear helmets. However their wives riding saddle side and there three kids wedged in between do not.
15. Dump Trucks. Some of the most elaborately and beautifully ornate artwork that I have seen in the city is displayed on the dump trucks. Another amazing India paradox.
16. Sidewalk sales. The only place in this world where you can find inflatable pool toys, watermelon stand, and crystal chandeliers for sale on the side of the highway.