Complaint Department

There are not many things in India that bother me. I can look past the stares, the dirt, the smells. Although if you ask me at the right time and the right place, I may take that back about the smells.

But there are two things that get under my skin to no avail about being in India.

The first one, everyone expects me to eat more than I do. I know I am a big woman. I'm tall and fat, have big hands and big feet. I'm not the typical tiny, petite little India. I stand out wherever I go. However, just because i'm the size I am, does NOT mean that I can eat an entire bag of rice. I was going to say an entire side of beef, but they don't eat beef here and at this point in time, I might actually be able to pull that one off because i miss beef. Regardless, I eat to the point that I'm satisfied and I get looked at as if "that's it!? But you're so big, you must be able to fit more food in there somewhere!". I know it's all in good intentions. Indians are very hospitable and food is a big part of their life as is being able to share their food and ensuring the satisfaction of those around them. But for once, I wish they would understand the meaning of "no, i'm full, thank you!".

The second is their belief that because I'm a big western woman, i'm incapable of walking any length of distance. Again, I know this is meant in their best interest of taking care of me. But I like walking. Walking helps me lose weight, which has definitely been happening. Walking helps keep me healthy and fit. Just because I'm big, doesn't mean I can't or won't walk a mile in the hot sun. If anything, because I'm big is all the more reason for me to do so. For several reasons, weight loss being one, and proving that big people can do all the stuff the wiry little Indians can do as well.

That's all for the complaint department. I just had to get it off my chest. It'd been bugging me for awhile now and today just added some more to it to the point of needing to vent. :)