gender roles

more on the gender roles here in india...

when having lunch with some of the ladies of the office, rachna told me that i could tell she was recently married because of all of the bangles and jewelry she was wearing. i asked if this was because when a woman is recently married she makes an extra effort on her appearance, but once she's been married awhile she doesn't have to try so hard. because, after all, "he now knows what you look like when you get up in the morning." the giggles i got when saying this only thinly masked the slight horror. i was then told how a woman is expected to be made up and dressed nicely at all times for her husband. some women even sleep in their saris?!? all i have to say is...wow. (and if you're still wondering about the bangles - it's really just a custom to wear them either for a month and a half or for the first year of marriage - depending on where you live.)

next story on the gender roles... this coming week we will have an office party for holi. there are kingfishers being ordered, and for a brief moment i got excited thinking i might not have to wait until the plane ride home for a nice beverage. i'm then informed that only the boys will drink, and that it's really not something for girls to do. now i must decide... be one of the "sweet girls" of the office, or not care what opinion the office may form of me. decisions, decisions.

oh! and why is the entire world a male toilet? i swear...every time i turn around, some guy is taking a piss. there's not even an effort to go up to a tree or wall.