Question for Anyone Familiar With Indian/Hindu Culture

[unregistered]

 

[silverwhisper]

i think that's a hell of a great question and wish we saw its like more often! as it happens, i have several indian friends that i will consult.

ed

 

[Lost_Yonder]

The main issue is not what the gift should be, but that it is understood as a gift of thanks and not something else - which is true in any culture. Gift giving is very normal in India, food probably being a very safe and traditional item to give, usually given when visiting friends. Even flowers are acceptable, as they don't necessarily have a romantic implication, though that is changing with Halmark-constructed holidays like Valentines becoming global phenomena.

As she has obviusly been living in the US for a while, been educated/trained here, I'm sure she is not as "traditional" as you might assume and understand completely your very generous offer of thanks. I'd say a basket of fruit would be ideal, or chocolates and/or dried fruits and nuts - with a card expressing your heartfelt thanks...

 

[unregistered]

 

[bambikiller]

I have a few Indian friends and clients.
As above she knows American customs they apperciate them.
As long as it is honest and sincer they will be more then greatfull.

 

[your_vice]

A Hindu friend of mine says that Feb 28th this year is the Hindu spring festival, called Holi. It is based around 'The Legend of Prahalad and Holika' which goes as follows (gotta love the net)...

This is the main Holi legend.

Holika was a female demon, and the sister of Hiranyakashyap, the demon king. Hiranyakashyap considered himself ruler of the Universe, and higher than all the gods.

Prahalad was the king's son. His father hated him because Prahalad was a faithful devotee of the god Vishnu.

One day the king asked him "Who is the greatest, God or I?"

"God is," said the son, "you are only a king."

The king was furious and decided to murder his son.

But the king's attempts at murder didn't work too well. Prahalad survived being thrown over a cliff, being trampled by elephants, bitten by snakes, and attacked by soldiers.

So the king asked his sister, Holika, to kill the boy.

Holika seized Prahalad and sat in the middle of a fire with the boy on her lap.

Holika had been given a magic power by the gods that made her immune to fire, so she thought this was a pretty good plan, and Prahalad would burn to death while she remained cool.

But it's never wise to take gods' gifts for granted! Because Holika was using her gift to do something evil, her power vanished and she was burned to ashes. Prahalad stayed true to his God, Vishnu, and sat praying in the lap of his demon aunt. Vishnu protected him, and Prahalad survived.

Shortly afterwards, Vishnu killed King Hiranyakashyap and Prahad ruled as a wise king in his father's place.

Moral

The moral of the story is that good always wins over evil, and those who seek to torment the faithful will be destroyed.

To celebrate the story, large bonfires are burned during Holi. In many parts of India, a dummy of Holika is burned on the fire.

Holi is the Hindu festival that welcomes the Spring and celebrates the new life and energy of the season. Although Holi has religious roots, not much religious activity is involved in its celebration. Its significance is more secular and social these days. Holi is also called 'The Festival of Colours', and people celebrate the festival by smearing each other with paint, and throwing coloured powder and dye around in an atmosphere of great good humour.

Holi is apparently a great leveller. In India, the caste system is defined by hereditary groups so the status of a person's ancestors defines their social status today (if I understand all this right). People are born into a caste and there is no leaving it. Caste tensions have also been blamed for some 'honour killings' of star crossed lovers who marry outside their social strata. This is chiefly why Holi is such a unique event in the Hindu calendar. There is no other occasion where social status/wealth is disregarded and people of all castes mingle without a care in the world.

By the time everyone has been covered in paint and coloured water, it's pretty hard to see any of the normal clues as to who is what caste, or what class. And because no-one is likely to take designer clothes out for a soaking, there's not much chance of seeing who is rich and who is poor. Holi is a festival that's enjoyed by both high and low. Indian newspapers are likely to show pictures of ministers, even prime ministers, seriously splashed with paint. In India, there are bonfires and street parties. Wealthier families share their food around liberally and everyone contributes whatever they can.

A gift of food would therefore be very appropriate around this time as it symbolises the idealistic hopes that all people are made equal and that all people could be provided for if resources were distributed evenly.

 

[satindesire]

This thread makes me smile.

 

[unregistered]

 

[fire_breeze]

I just had lunch with a girl from India, so I asked, and she said fruit basket would be the best, with a clear card. And besides, who doesn't appreciate fresh fruit in the winter?

 

[unregistered]

 

[TypicalDeviant]

Just an update. I scored a beefy fruit basket; lots -tons- of fresh and unusual fruit thanks to Jungle Jims in Cincinnati. The card was clear and to the point. No room for uncertainty whatsoever.

Awesome, very nice of you.

Also, my fiancee and I are moving to Cinci soon and excited for the Jungle Jim's experience (we both like the healthy foods and whatnot).

 

[unregistered]

 

[unregistered]