Photo Credit: lemuelinchrist
This is the third post from my ten question series on questions and discussions that are particularly important for intercultural or interracial couples to have. All of the posts from this series can be found on the series index, The Ten Questions Every Intercultural Couple Should Discuss.
Seeing the title of this post typed out makes me nervous. Stereotypes – and their less absolute and bigoted cousin, generalizations – make me nervous. And yet, I don’t think we can ignore this massive elephant in the corner when discussing culture – particularly when trying to really get your partner & his or her cultural background. After all, it’s likely that you have heard plenty of generalizations or stereotypes about your own culture, your partner’s culture, and dozens of others. We all know people will judge you based on their stereotypical beliefs about your culture. And sometimes you may end up thinking that a particular individual – or you, yourself – perfectly fit a particular stereotype of a culture.
An important thing to recognize with generalizations and stereotypes is that they don’t appear out of thin air. Yes, sometimes they’re just plain wrong – based on the hatred, jealousy or fear one culture may feel towards another, or developed from cultural misunderstandings. But often (again, not always) stereotypes or generalizations get made because there is some strand of thought or avowed value in a culture which promotes the stereotype. Recognizing this fact isn’t a sin.
While it’s never okay to prejudge a person based on stereotypes, it can be quite valuable to consider how the main beliefs of your culture affect you – and an easy way to do this is to compare and contrast yourself to stereotypes of your main culture (and subcultures). And if you discuss this with your partner, he or she will gain both a better understanding of your cultural background (What are the various stereotypes? How realistic are they?) and of your own personal beliefs and values (How well do you fit those stereotypes?).
Digging into the question
Discussing this question with your significant other really involves two separate, but related topics:
- What stereotypes exists about your culture, and how closely do they mimic the real main values and beliefs of your culture – keeping in mind that all generalizations and stereotypes are, by nature, simplistic caricatures?
- How much or how little of these stereotypes do you see in yourself – perhaps some you may identify with extremely strongly, while others you have chosen to consciously reject?
Like the previous question I blogged about (what’s your opinion of our two cultures?), answering this question should not be a simple, straightforward process. Half of the value of the question, really, is in thinking about how you’d answer it yourself – before you even talk to your partner about it!
Other things to consider when discussing this question
Stereotypes are what stand out about a culture.
In considering this question, remember that stereotypes exist because other cultures have identified (correctly or not) some trait or characteristic that they think is different or stands out in people of your culture. Even if you may not fit the stereotype of your culture, you may be still influenced by the mainstream values that drive the stereotype. Consider the generalization that “Americans are materialistic and have a lot of ’stuff’” – in contrast to other cultures, that is. Even though I don’t think of myself as materialistic within an American context (I try to visit the mall once a quarter, at most), Aditya and I haven’t had much trouble filling up a townhouse with stuff. So while I don’t fit the “shopaholic” stereotype, I’m probably influenced more by the “stuff is good” meme of American culture than I’d like to admit. It’s rare that you can completely avoid being influenced by your primarily culture’s values, even if you don’t fit the stereotypes perfectly.
Some stereotypes are just wrong.
Before getting to know me (and my family), Aditya’s parents apparently believed that Americans are a very clean and tidy group of people. Having now observed the common Americanus in her native habitat, they no longer hold this stereotype. From my personal experience, it seems that this stereotype simply does not hold much water – Americans might enjoy tidiness (who doesn’t?), but no more than, say, Germans do.
Stereotypes can be contradicting.
It’s often not difficult to find two competing – or completely contradictory – stereotypes about your culture. For example, “Americans are good at athletics and place a lot of importance on them” is a common generalization – just ask any exchange student new to an American high school, or an observer watching the U.S. compete at the Olympics. And yet there’s also the stereotype that “Americans are fat and out-of-shape” – a stereotype, which, while certainly not true for all Americans, does have a basis in the data. Learning about the competing stereotypes of a culture – and the reality behind them – can often point out the particular “cultural battles” being currently fought – the natural change that all cultures experience.
Use this discussion to understand, not judge.
Stereotypes are typically negative judgments about a culture: “Americans are fat.” “Americans can’t do arithmetic.” “Americans are (too) individualistic.” “Americans live to work instead of working to live.” “Americans are always that tourist when traveling abroad.” Etc, etc, etc.
This question should not be used to launch an “I-can-out-stereotype-you” competition. Every stereotype you bring up when discussing this question with your significant other should be explored deeply. Does it have a kernal of truth? What values are behind the stereotype? Does it perhaps only apply to a very visable subset of your culture? Within the culture, is it seen as a negative thing (being overweight) or actually a point of pride (being individualistic)? Do you, personally, think of the values behind the stereotype as a good thing or a bad thing? What are the complexities of the issue – perhaps there’s a subculture which rejects this mainstream value, or a generational shift underway on the issue?
Keep your sense of humor and proportion!
This could be a sensitive for both of you – no one likes to hear criticism of either themselves or their culture, and that’s what stereotypes often amount to. It could be easy for me to get offended at how quickly and heartily Aditya agreed when I mentioned that I fit the stereotype of the “super-individualistic American” – he immediately started rattling off all of the various times I’ve insisted on doing something on my own when help would have been useful (I refuse to stop for directions when driving while lost, for instance) or when I’ve pushed beyond “individualistic” to being just plain (in his words) “anti-social and arrogant in (my) disregard for other’s opinions.”
I could get offended, but, frankly, he does have a point. Everyone has faults, and one of mine is probably that I take an individualistic outlook to more of an extreme than even most Americans. Part of it’s my natural personality, I think, and part of it comes from American culture’s push towards individualism. Recognizing that your culture has influenced you (negatively and positiviely – individualism does have its good points!) isn’t the end of the world, after all.
The Bottom Line
It can often be difficult to figure out how you’ve been influenced by your culture – and then to communicate these influences clearly to your significant other – but it’s an important part of learning about each other’s background and values in intercultural relationships. Use the stereotypes of your culture as a starting point for thinking and talking about these cultural influences! Consider it a chance to engage in a shadowy area intercultural couples often avoid (often until it bubbles out in an argument) for fear of giving offense. Shove the stereotypes out into the light, and discuss how realistic they are for your culture as a whole, and for you, as a particular individual who has been influenced by the mainstream views and values of your culture.
Related posts:
- Intercultural Couple Question #2: What’s Your Opinion of Our Two Cultures?
- Intercultural Couple Question #1: What Was Your Childhood Like?
- The Ten Questions Every Intercultural Couple Should Discuss
- Categories, Generalizations, and Stereotypes: Talking About Cultural Differences
- Interracial or Intercultural Relationship?
December 30th, 2009 at 1:02 am
What I’ve observed is that Indian men are held to a different and higher standard vis-a-vis American men, when it comes to dating. Seems to me that American women are surprised when they find that some Indian men they dated, lied to them (whatever the reason), or were not ready to tie the knot just because they dated, or were simply looking for a role in the hay. American men indulging in the exact same behavior won’t affect such girls (or the degree of effect would be much less) and is considered the “norm”, but if an Indian man does the same, then all hell breaks loose. Not sure where this stereotype/unrealistic expectation of Indian men+dating originated from. Bollywood films perhaps?
(Just to be clear, I’m not condoning the behavior of men – or women – who lie while dating, or while in a relationship.)
December 30th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Hmmm – I’m not sure if American women are more surprised when they’re lied to by Indian men, or if you/we might just be getting a good dose of observation bias. After all, it’s not like a lot of people are going to show up on a website about intercultural relationships, and complain about the infidelity/lying of their monocultural exes, right?
—————-
Just as I mentioned in the post in relation to the discussion for couples, I’d prefer for the comments here to not become an “Let’s see who can throw around the most stereotypes” discussion – those tend to go downhill fast. So let’s try to keep it specific and keep relating back to our own particular experiences – how stereotypes of your culture may or may not mesh with your own personal values and beliefs.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
My younger sister came to visit us from her school a few weeks back and she was on this big kick about “Asians are so smart… its hard to compete with them” and “Asians are so good in math and science no wonder international students get all the scholarships” she kept making comments like this the entire weekend. It was kind of odd, I’d never heard her say anything like that before, but she wouldn’t listen when I tried to tell her that she was buying into the stereotype. She kept insisting it wasn’t just a stereotype, but that it was the truth.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Taquor(not his real name) is convinced that Americans are even more hyper sexualized than our media portrays us. He assumed that most US teenagers have sex at 13/14 and basically screw everyone in sight until they marry.
I was kinda taken aback by this stereotype.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Thinking back to all my liberal studies classes on race, gender and identity and contrasting it with personal experiences on this topic is actually sort of absurd and even comical. In the former context I was always very careful about my words in class, dutiful against stereotyping, generalization, and extremely sensitive not to confuse the two. I treaded lightly and sought to be a sort of wise, distant expert of culture, race, and all the judgments and general stuff that comes along with these discussions.
This approach doesn’t fit so well with my personal, every day experiences of being engaged to a South Indian guy and incorporating his traditional family into my life. Because the chasm has been so great at times between the two worlds, sometimes stereotypes and generalizations are the only things I’ve been able to find some sense of comfort in — regardless of how false they may be. I think in some cases, where the lifeways and world views are so different, there’s no amount of exploration or trying to understand that will work. Sometimes you need a defense mechanism to protect you from things that are so far beyond your realm of experience and truth. I think my fiance’s family uses the same tactics. For example, they will be crushed to know they can’t live with us for months — rather than be angry at me as a person they will likely say it’s “because I’m an American.” Though this might not be 100% true, spot on, or academically sound it kind of works for his parents and for me too. It actually takes the heat off the individual and sort of points the blame at an external, rather benign source — “eh, it’s just the culture, not NK being a meanie.” Though this may be somewhat misplaced, it works for us. Another example is, I get annoyed with all the aftermath that has come with R’s parents cloistering themselves from American culture and expecting the same of R. This was an unfair expectation of his parents but rather than blame them personally or individually, I kind of blame the culture and recognize this is what a lot of Indians have done. I think a few mental generalizations and maybe even stereotypes have sort of saved me a lot of resentment and irritation — and it’s probablly the same for R’s parents.
The truth is, in my situation, I’m never going to be able to untangle everything re: his culture and figure out his family. So, sometimes, it IS easier and MUCH more practical in a relationship (and to just keep moving in life) to blame issues and misgivings on “the culture.” I don’t always employ this approach of course, but it can really come in handy when you are pissed off about something or don’t understand the logic behind something (i.e. I’ll never really understand the collective logic or practical applications of arranged marriage. All I know is that I can respect that is works for many, it’s just not for me).
So in bringing these two very different worlds together, making generalizations that are perhaps not 100% accurate from both ends, has actually helped everyone I think. This is, HOWEVER, all built on the basis that both parties do have some mutual respect for one another. Like I told R’s mom after we got engaged, “I might not understand everything… but I will respect you. We have to respect eachother.”
I recently heard an artist speak about writers before the renaissance and how when they had writers block or no artistic inspiration they would blame a little demon — an external force that was blocking the artist from having a vision. Post-renaissance the focus was shifted to the individual, the self, and it was the self that was responsible for not having a vision. This is when the presentor argued people became more anxious and depressed because they took their lack of vision and motivation as a sign of personal failure and defeat. Whereas before, regarless of how logical it was, you at least had an external something to blame for your lack of artistry or creation. R tells me many Indians live alongside a similar concept such as fate, or as “it’s in the stars.” At certain times, I’ve taken a liking towards blaming such things as well — it’s out of my hands — the gods will decide. And whatever happens — happens. It’s not his mom, dad, or auntie being intrusive or trying to personally offend me, it’s just the culture. The experiences that have shaped them are beyond my understanding. Maybe it’s not the most culturally competent way to live, but it takes the blame of individuals and things we actually might not ever really understand or grasp anyway.
That’s just kind of what’s worked for us and how we actually have been able to co-exist rather peacefully.
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I think, as long as there is mutual respect & a mode of thinking is working for all parties, outsiders (such as me
) should be very slow to judge.
However, one thing I do want to comment on (at this late date) is that saying “this individual might be/is behaving this way because of her culture” is not necessarily stereotyping. Stereotyping is taking a generalization about a culture/race/whatever – often one that has a kernel of truth – and assuming that every person of this culture/race/whatever will follow that stereotype. If that’s unclear (to you or whoever else reading along), try this slightly longer explanation.
In contrast, I think acknowledging the role culture plays in a particular individual’s behavior is very important – and, like you said, can take some of the pressure off of judging that individual. To go slightly esoteric, ethicists like to talk about the difference between an action being “wrong”, and the individual performing the action being “blame-worthy” for doing the wrong act – they aren’t the same thing at all in most ethical theories out there (including the ones I subscribe to).
By and large, I think most people are trying to do the best they can, given their backgrounds & knowledge. Very few people cast themselves in the starring role of the villain in life. That doesn’t mean we aren’t blameworthy for a lot of bad acts – lying, stealing, etc – but that we’re very good at failing to live up to our own standards. However, when the standards of “what is right/good?” differ based on culture and knowledge – like, for example, in many cases of female genital mutilation – the answer is not to blame people for their lack of knowledge, but to to work to educate them so that they don’t continue to unknowingly do evil.
… okay, so that strayed a bit off-topic, but the gist of my point is that acknowledging the role that culture plays in how your in-laws act is not stereotyping at all – and it’ll probably help to decrease the amount that you blame them for things that you don’t think are particularly right, as you describe.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
nice!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 9:12 pm
I thought initially this was going to be straightforward to respond to but as it turns out I’m now not so sure! My partner is a British-born Indian and in that sense we have been shaped, to a certain extent, by the same culture. I’m not sure how many of the readers here are in a similar situation – it seems quite a few of you are in relationships where one partner is a first-generation immigrant? I have to say it presents some issues … a step away from the homeland, I wonder sometimes how torn my partner must feel – he has never lived in India and is instantly recognisable as a tourist there. And yet he feels most definitely Indian! I mostly think of it as something to marvel over rather than try to figure out but I’m sure it can have an impact on one’s identity.
I’m not sure I can really think of that many sweeping generalisations either of us have made about the other’s heritage. I suppose I always felt that Indian families were big and close-knit and that is pretty much true from my experience. The only thing I have since learnt is that it seems that, just as in my own culture, many families have their skeletons-in-the-closet and there can still be rifts between relations. I think that my partner would nonetheless say that Indian family ties are stronger than non-Indian ones. I’d argue that really that is a stereotype as I know plenty of people whose families are very closely connected and really each family is an individual case.
Perhaps I’m not scrutinising closely enough but I’d be interested to know what others think – food for thought, and all that …
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:59 am
Neokalypso, I agree with everything you wrote and you expressed it in a way that clarified things for me as well.
Somewhere along the way, in our ultra liberal p.c. (politically correct) cultural brainwashing, we have lost some common sense and have become so afraid of “offending” people (usually the only ones offended are white p.c. liberals, LOL), that we do not permit ourselves to call a spade a spade, or a rose by any other name.
And again, it seems white people are the only ones like this. I don’t really come across many non-whites who so uptight over stereotying or generalizing. And they sure as heck don’t give a damn about being p.c.
So why us?
I find orientating generalizations to be big helpers and life savers as I travel the globe.
I also don’t get offended when I’m stereotyped either. There’s always some truth somewhere behind a stereotype so why deny it?
Even the “all American women are sluts” stereotype you come across in India.
While of course not all American women are sluts, but our country has undergone a sexual revolution back in the 1960s that has indeed changed our outlooks on sexuality and sexual expression and our present culture reflects that.
Even what would be considered normal, healthy behaviour for many Americans, would be “taboo” for many Indians – such as living together before marriage or dating multiple people, or even dating at all.
So while the slut stereotype may be offensive, due to the differences in mating culture between India and America, we can see why they would get that impression. “slut” or “loose” would mean much less to them than it would to us. Meaning, things we might consider normal, healhty or even conservative by OUR standards, would be “loose” by their’s.
So I don’t get offended if Indians think I’m slutty because I date or have intimate relationships with my long term partners. I know that by THEIR standards, that would be slutty. By my standards it’s not.
And just like you expressing their are some things that are just close to impossible to understand, due to the cultural divide, they also feel the same way about some of our stuff.
Like you, I’m OK with that.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:19 am
This post provoked some good reflection & discussion between my husband and myself. I like that the process is self-reflective and isn’t a finger pointing session.
We have a pretty comprehensive understanding of our respective (American & Indian) cultures, with the added effect that we now seem to have a third pidgin culture combined of the two. Frankly, it’s this 3rd culture that seems to make the most sense to us. Anytime I might rely on generalizations to understand him or my in-laws, or to explain my own behavior, immediate communication breakdown ensues. The relationships are just too personal. It’s the individual I aim to connect with, always. But maybe it’s just a very American notion of mine that we are primarily individuals surrounded by culture
January 7th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
I have experienced the strategic use of “stereotypes” quite a few times in this short life. The other day a latina friend who was being leered at by her white houseowner asked my BFF, a 5′ 11″ 250 pound African American gentleman to come over her place while she packed her stuff. She insisted BFF not open his mouth but just stand there while she packed. This insitance was important because BFF is one of the gentlest soul I have known, had he opened his mouth he would have befriended this ogler and the whole purpose of scaring him would have been defeated. We still laugh about it. Stereotypes good or bad always take away something from the real.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
I really like this series you’re doing. Me and my bf have often discussed these and finally realized how to discuss them (not when we’re tired, etc) and it’s made a significant difference in how well we understand the things both of us do that might have originally been weird, but now is “oh okay, I know why”
January 13th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Being a social work major and studying sociology, I can certainly relate and we have talked about it often. Hey, Neocalypso, as long as those stereotypes don’t haunt your arguments and/or prevent some growth, it is not a bad thing! It is a good idea to assess yourself and have your mate assess him/herself. Quite interesting and unfortunately, I think one of the main reasons that ICR breaks down is because ppl are afraid of discussing these things. note: I have seen quite a few just not be able to last — but then again, I have seen lots of monocultural (is that the right term?) relationships do the same.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Nice website gorigirl.
I am an Indian boy in the US , studying. I am very conservative in nature. In my opinion , any boy who marries an American girl, takes a big risk.
I personally do not have a girlfriend and would also not like to marry someone who has had a lot of boyfriends in the past, which is a feature of the American dating scene.
Thus if I marry an American girl, I run the greater risk of her having an affair with someone she is attracted to at a later stage in life.
Quraishi
February 10th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Quraishi,
I fully agree with you. You shouldn’t consider marrying an American girl because she’ll prefer a man than a boy. It is a long way for you to go before you consider yourself a man.
Also, marrying an Indian grants imunity to infidelity. Here is the stereotype- married Indian women do not cheat.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:13 am
girlsguidetosurvival,
Yeah right. You know, some of us , prefer to marry chicks who have not had a slutastic past. Too much baggage to deal with on a long term basis.
The average American girl (usually) has had many more notches in the belt than the average Indian guy.
It doesn’t mean that the chick will definitely cheat, but certainly it increases the chances that she follows her hormones rather than cultural values of purity and the like.
And many years into the marriage, when she is bored with her partner, as most long term relationships tend to descend to, at that time, if she considers herself capable of getting around, she might just.
Anyway, how does one become a “man”? By the number of notches in a guys bedpost? Then I know plenty of Amru friends of mine, who want to continue bedding young chicks well into their 30s and 40s without getting married at all!
February 12th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Quraishi, you’re making assumptions that two mature adults with a mature sex life are unable to deal with the realities of their experiences. And furthermore, your assumption that these experiences are tantamount to “baggage” bespeak both your virginity and naivete. No problem with that – but no need to judge others, right? No one is asking you to date an American. No one is asking you to date a Desi. No one, in truth, is asking you to do anything. So I wonder – why do you come to a site that focuses on intercultural relationships when it is so clearly a triggering subject for you?
By the by, purity is highly relative and country of birth is really no gauge of that.
You sound repressed and judgmental. But that’s no one’s problem but your own. Again, if someone chooses to marry and “bed young chicks’ it’s their choice in a free country. If you object to it, don’t engage in said behaviors.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Thanks for your mature reply. Sounds like the only way to really “grow up” as girlsguide means it , in the realm of relationships, is to gain experience in them, and the only way to maintain a woman’s interest, is to keep investing in your own life so much so that it naturally interests other people.
Thanks for the tip.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Q, you’ve hit on the key to relationship happiness regardless of gender, race, nationality, country of origin, or age – invest in your own life and make it a good one, and it will fill naturally with good, healthy, and interesting people. And most likely, it’ll include people from all over the world and all walks of life. Best wishes.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:08 am
V,
My experience in the US has been that I have tried to hang out a bunch with American students at my university. I get along with some, but with most others, it doesnt work. I used to think that I wasn’t getting the culture down, or wasn’t making an effort, but I later realized that even the American students were extremely unconnected with each other, and few had good, long standing, close ties at all. So , yes, I do have a few American friends…and an ex girlfriend. But the people whom I can count on for help and the like and mainly Indian and a few Chinese .
Thus, I am amazed at the long standing intercultural relationships that a lot of you have over here.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:06 am
GG,
Greetings!
I visit your blog frequently and I want my friends to visit it too. Some have visited through your response and to some I have mailed the link personally. But want more people to benefit from this beautiful work. I do not know how to include you in my blogroll, I tried it couple of times but it did not work.
Any suggestions?
Best,
February 24th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Are you guys still in India…havent posted much for a while?
March 1st, 2010 at 2:34 am
i realized that in sending you an email, I may have inadvertently clicked the submit button five too many times. My apologies for filling your inbox. I meant to send one message.
Great post, by the way.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
I’m an Indian living in the US (for 10+ yrs now) and the one stereotype which I have heard is that Indian men stare/gawk at white girls. I particularly find it interesting that although gawking/staring/checking girls out is race & culture agnostic (every red blooded heterosexual male does it), somehow Indian men get stuck with the blame for it.
Maybe it could be because Indians who arrive fresh to the US do their staring less discreetly than most seasoned American males. Maybe its the “look” they give.
I’ve stare/gawk at my white wife everyday. If anything my stereotypical behavior makes her feel special everyday!
March 6th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
I also hate the stereotype some Indians have about white women. They think all of them are slutty, promiscuous and almost always have an affair (when married).
I think some of the conservative mid-western white girls do a number on some of the Indian city girls when it comes to morals and being true to themselves.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
These Indian-white couples put me to laughter.
The only reasons white chicks end up with Indians are:
1) They [white chicks] hate their own culture. (Really? No? How many of you hippies have NOT converted to some Indian religion, NOT started practicing and celebrating at least some of the Indian customs and festivals?)
2) They are less attractive and wouldn’t get a date with a white guy of equivalent educational level.
3) The Indian guys are usually highly educated and potential earners. (There are exceptions to this one.)
Whenever white chicks get interested in ethnic guys, it is either for the money or because they hate their culture and want to assimilate into another culture. Sometimes, it’s a mixture of both.
Forgive me for saying this, almost all the white chicks who end up with Indian men are pale, ugly, died-in-the-wool feminists — whose educational levels were equivalent to that of Sarah Palin when they met their Indian hubbies.
Latinas and black chicks are much better when it comes to dating. At least they can see past the money and culture nonsense. Apparently most Indian guys cannot get past skin color. A chick can be ugly as hell and still get a pass for being pale.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Your incessant stereotyping put me to laughter, adithya.
Anyone know when GG is coming home?
March 8th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I’m home today! Well, nearly asleep at work today – got into the States yesterday morning.
An update will be coming tomorrow, most likely.
March 8th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Welcome back. How was Des? Looking forward to read all about it.
Desi Girl
March 8th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Welcome back! I’m very impressed that you’re back at work the day after returning. Can’t wait to hear about your trip.
March 9th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Your red herrings are typical of feminist rhetoric.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Hi D!!! And welcome back Gori…
March 9th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Hi NK! How are things going?
March 9th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Welcome back GG! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
March 10th, 2010 at 5:34 am
Hey GG, great to have you back and with lots of India-related (gori-related?) experiences fresh in your mind! Hope you enjoyed yourselves. Also, selfishly I can’t wait for you to help me join the forum :-S