We are boring

A few observations upon leaving India and touring in Thailand and Australia:

- First, things are much more expensive here. Prices in Australia are much more comparable and usually slightly more than prices in the United States. I can’t get a delicious potatoes-and-peas samosa for US$0.10 (5 rupees) or my shirt ironed for less than US$0.05 (2.5 rupees) anymore.
- We are no longer novelties. No more being stopped for “celebrity” pictures, no one gives us a second glance as we are walking around.
- Rules are rules. No longer can we and are we expected to negotiate for everything and anything. On one hand, this is convenient and a time-saver. On the other hand, this means much less flexibility and customization, as well as the feeling that we could have gotten a better deal.
- Much more order in general: better systems, cleaner facilities. People stand in line and wait their turn. More personal space – people don’t crowd you front to back in lines. It’s much more what we are used to, but when we were queuing very orderly at Thai immigration, part of me was thinking – it’s so quiet… where is the challenge now? Haha. However, we did see some of the Indian customs we are more used to – while waiting for an elevator, we watched a group of Indians bum-rush the door (nearly running over an Asian lady in front of them to get there – “No manners!” she exclaimed in surprise). Then, we saw them again when the elevator stopped to go in the down direction because they had rushed on while the elevator was in the up direction.
- Children are less friendly. In India, people are extremely tolerant of their own children and other people’s children. In fact, they love them in all forms - crying, screaming, laughing, running around. Smiling or waving at an Indian child is the best way to make a friendly connection with a stranger. Outside of India, I think that children are more trained to be wary of strangers and behave and be quiet.

On a side note, in the Bangkok Airport, I thought it was strange that we couldn’t exchange our remaining Indian rupees (about US$5-10 worth) to Thai baths. The currency exchange booths didn’t accept the denomination, perhaps it’s due to currency stability? We were certainly not the only flight coming from India. We were however able to exchange rupees for bahts in Koh Samui, a very touristy area.