You Know You Are Indian When..

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oi-Anwesha

By Anwesha Barari

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 10:45

When can you say that you have achieved the title of a typical Indian? Not before you go through the litmus test of all the endearingly silly Indian characteristics that we have. Like all other cultures in the world, Indians have a lasting set of traits. As we are a huge country, our set of peculiarities too are gigantic. It is also the unifying force that holds an otherwise diverse set of people together.

So, when can you really call yourself a typical Indian? These are the prototype Indian characteristics you must exhibit to be a part of the list.

You Can Call Yourself A Typical Indian When...

1. You Still Have Your Grandfather's Easy Chair: Interestingly, Indians see the value for money in everything. It is one of things that have kept us aloof from the 'use and throw' culture of the West. When we buy a refrigerator, television or any other household item, we preserve it. And we do it in such a way that our grandchildren can use it.

2. You Wait For The Sale Season To Buy Clothes: You may be the CEO of a company or its security guard; we all like getting something for nothing. It is a typical Indian mindset to buy clothes, shoes or anything under the sun, for a discount. Our first question while shopping is always, 'how much is off on this one?' Another one of our value for money traits.

3. Your Credit Card Is Just For Show: On an average, Indians have much fewer credit cards than the people in US. Moreover, the credit card is just for show. Indians, who can give the entire world tips on saving money, never believed in credit. Our repulsion towards credit cards has saved our nascent economy during the last recession. In general, we do not like to spend money we do not have.

4. You Believe In The Divine Intervention Of Missed Calls: It is not out of miserly instincts or lack of resources that we give missed calls to our friends. It is an inherent need to feel smarter than him or her that makes us do it!

5. You Resent People From All Other Indian States: Nothing to be ashamed of, we all do it. That is one the most unifying characteristics of Indians. We have a code name for every set of regional people like Ghati, Bong, Bhaiya, Mallu and so on. Racist jokes are our daily dose of entertainment, but it is all in good humour, of course.

6. You Look For Indian Restaurants: We may like fancy food for a while, but an Indian is addicted to Indian food. No matter which corner of the world you are in, you will look for a restaurant that serves Indian food. If you have walked 4 blocks in Paris to have a simple Gujrati thali for dinner, then you are a true Indian.

Only when you have these traits are your incurably and typically an Indian.