Excuse me miss, are you Indian?

So that wasn’t exactly how they asked me. They asked the people I walked into the restaurant with. We had just sat down at our table when a man came up and asked something to the guys we have been working with. They gave him a funny look. He asked them something else and they said “america.” He then said “excuse me” and told me his name and shook my hand and told me it was nice to meet me. He then whispered something else to the guys and left. They laughed and told me and my friend that he came over and asked them if I was from India or a foreigner. Now, I would almost be impressed that something about the way I can blend into a culture that people would want to know, except with my blond hair, blue eyes, and bright white skin, it was pretty clear that it was not my ability to blend in. Rather it was a group of men who had too much to drink and were surprised to see a white girl like me in this part of India in this hotel restaurant. Two other men both came over to shake my hand during the evening, separately, so that they all could say they met me. They did not try to stay and chat, just wanted to meet.

Earlier today we were at a school. A bunch of the girls (after being prepped and encouraged by their teacher) came up to ask me questions like “What is your name?” and “How are you?” and “Where are you from?” I was happy to answer and try to talk to them a little. Most were pretty shy. But after they talked to me, every single one of them lined up to shake my hand and say hello and thank you. I told them all how great it was to meet them.

When a bunch of 12 year old girls who can barely look you in the eye and are giggling with excitement line up to shake your hand, it is really cute. When several older men who have obviously had too much to drink do it, it is less cute. It was pretty funny though.