Expressions – Bhagwad Jal Park

Followers of my blog know that most of my impressions of the US are hardly flattering. But one really must give credit where it’s due. One of the great things about this country is the respect and treatment they extend to their armed forces, and this is something that India can really emulate.

Killings of Indian army personnel on the border are an everyday affair for us Indians. Perhaps because of the sheer number of tragedies, it’s impossible to praise and keep track of every death. But our army faces a shortcoming of quality officers and rightly so. Why would any intelligent and promising young person join up? Apart from patriotism, do they have any other motivation to enroll? True they get certain benefits – cheap food, accommodation, and education for their children. But do they get public respect?

Image Credit: $owmya

Respect for Indian Military Personnel

In my year or so of stay in the US, I’ve been astounded by the respect and admiration the American people display towards people in the army. Though it sometimes borders on Jingoism, we can learn much from the Americans in this regard. By following these two simple steps, we can ensure that quality people become motivated to enlist.

1. Mention the Forces frequently in Public gatherings

When people gather together – either in a plane, or in a concert, or a theater, an announcement can be made on the lines of, “Before we start, let’s take a moment to thank our military personnel who are sacrificing their lives for us.” Or “Can we have a big hand for the brave men and women who keep our country secure.” Military personnel can also be asked to stand up and then given a round of applause.

Benefit: This lets them know they are valued and appreciated. It reassures them that their job is important.

2. Advertise Well

Currently enrollment in the National Defense Academy (NDA) is done only via a formal boring tender-style advertisement in the newspaper. In order to attract the best talent, we need to make life in the armed forces more appealing. It’s all about marketing. A video with inspiring music (but not over the top cheesy) which conveys the sort of meaningful life that most young people seek. A meaningful active life with integrity. I’m sure a good media company can make a great deal out of it.

They can show it on TV, in theaters and have well crafted, glossy and tasteful posters strategically placed in high profile areas where we normally see high value brands. Like 5-star hotels, and prime Billboard space. The total cost of all this is negligible (compared to the defense budget) and will repay itself many times over in better quality people entering the army, navy, and air force.

Basically we need to improve the visibility of our armed forces in every sphere of life. Veterans and Disabled personnel all need to be taken note of, and given the respect and adulation that their counterparts receive in the US.

Similar Posts:

• Why India isn’t ready for a Uniform Civil Code – November 23, 2009
• Democracy in India – Ignoring the naysayers – May 20, 2009
• US Corporations to India: “Don’t dare use Free Software!” – March 9, 2010
• Are Indians finally becoming Responsible? – March 3, 2010
• Indian Elections – 5 issues that matter – March 28, 2009

It never fails to shock me how a tip is demanded in the US. People simply refuse to listen to reason when we (yes, there are others!) tell them that leaving a tip isn’t necessary. Well, I’m hoping for too much here, but if you’re a waiter, here are 5 reasons why I will try my best not to give any money to you and why the reasons for tipping are crappy.

1. You act as if you’re my best friend

Just leave me alone ok? I don’t want to bloody chit chat with you. I want food. FOOD! Get it? It’s a restaurant. I go there to eat. I go because I want either Italian food, Chinese Food or something else which I can’t get in a McDonald’s. So I come to a restaurant to fulfill my cravings for it. I will pay for what I value – food. Not you.

Christ, you offend me – kneeling down next to my table, pretending to like me and chatting as if you’re my best friend when it’s obvious that all you’re after is the tip! I’m not a bloody money bag you know. I will pay the bill which includes the cost of the food, the environment and the salaries of the people involved – nothing more.

The only way to get money out of me that I don’t have to legally pay is by prying it out of my cold dead hands…

Bottom line: I don’t want to know your name, or interact with you for any longer than I have to in order to place my order. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the equivalent of a conveyor belt that brings me my food and a computer into which I input my order. Of course, I won’t be rude. But don’t expect me to interact with you any more than I would with some stranger.

Image Credit: cafemama

Did you earn this tip?

2. You don’t get paid enough

And this is my problem how exactly? It’s astonishing that customers are expected to make up for your employer’s cheapness in not paying you a decent wage. Please include the full cost in everyone’s bill thank you very much. I’ll pay it because I have to and the charge is there for me to see.

What’s really funny here is that no one seems to criticize the employers! All criticism is reserved for non tipping customers instead of the owners of the restaurant for not paying a decent wage. Wtf! Could it possibly be because you guys know you can make much more by tips and under report your income to the IRS?

3. You’ll spit in my food if I don’t tip you?

And I’ll shoot your kid if you don’t give me a million dollars. Seriously, am I even hearing this right? You’re actually using the threat of blackmail to make me pay you? Well as long as you’re openly claiming to be a criminal it’s all right I guess.

Fortunately that’s why I prefer buffets. Listen apart from it being illegal, this shows your poor integrity. But if you spit in someone’s food because they didn’t give you money you didn’t earn, then you’re a loser and deserve to be a waiter for the rest of your life.

4. Bringing me my food isn’t worthy of being paid extra

Did you cook it? Did you invent it? No. You picked it up and brought it to me. While it might not be easy, there are plenty of jobs which are much worse – shop floor workers for example. And I’ve been a shop floor manager, so I know. Face it – compared to other jobs, being a waiter is unskilled. You get paid what the market will think your services are worth. You don’t deserve more for your work over and above what your employer should pay you.

5. Money doesn’t grow on trees

I expect you to be grateful and pray for me at night if I tip you 10%. Be happy I gave you anything at all. I worked for the money in my wallet and by giving you some I didn’t have to, I’m doing you a favor. Learn to remember that when people give you something they don’t need to, it’s a favor. You don’t complain that they didn’t give you more!

By the way, the same thing above applies to all professions that demand tips including those on cruise liners.

So now that you understand why I won’t give you money you don’t deserve, stop with the “oh how could you?” attitude. I can. And I will.

Similar Posts:

• American audiences can’t face Evolution! – September 21, 2009
• Consuming Entertainment – October 18, 2006
• Revenge on Nature – October 11, 2006
• Cruise Gratuities and tipping – February 10, 2009
• Being Lazy is Good – April 1, 2008

I’ve had occasion to mention on this blog before how American opinion sometimes seem out of sync with what the rest of the world takes for granted. Earlier, we had taken a look at the disbelief in climate change. Now I discover that evolution is a hot potato as well…

Jeremy Thomas’s new film “Creation” is a celebration of the life of Charles Darwin, whose struggles the movie depicts. It revolves around him questioning his faith after the demise of his daughter. The movie was showcased at the opening of the Toronto Film Festival and has spread throughout the world in every country except one – The United States. Apparently US distributors feel that the movie is too controversial.

I fail to understand how a developed country can have such an attitude in the 21st century. Apparently being developed has nothing to do with it. Evolution is accepted in every other part of the world including the poorer countries. In India (apart from hardcore Christians and Muslims,) evolution is accepted by all educated people. Yet in the US, only 39% of people believe in it! If I didn’t have the facts in front of me so starkly, I would have flat out not believed them. But it’s true!

Image Credit: PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE

Some of the attitudes towards evolution are that it’s a “half-baked theory” , “It’s never been proved” and “It’s a silly theory with a serious lack of evidence to support it despite over a century of trying.” People in the US largely believe that the earth was created in 6 days. I’m forced to wonder whether there’s any use to being educated if one still holds such medieval ideas. It seems that people feel that evolution is a “hoax” that is perpetrated on the world and they are the only ones who haven’t been taken in (just like climate change.)

Obviously there’s a pattern at work here. Most Americans disbelieve climate change. They disbelieve evolution too. My conclusion is that large sections of the American people are either brainwashed, or lack critical thinking. Since I’m sure Americans in general are as intelligent people elsewhere, I’m forced to the conclusion that they’re brainwashed. As far as climate change goes, I’m sure they’re brainwashed by the corporate campaigns against it, but who could possible want Americans not to believe in Evolution?

The answer of course is simple – the churches and evangelical movements in the US are just like big businesses with media campaigns, immense budgets, and large gatherings broadcast all over the country They employ professional marketers and employ their own “scientists” to create doubt about evolution in the minds of those who listen – and since they’ve been doing it for so long, they’ve managed to grab the mind of almost everyone.

I think it’s a clear warning that all large organizations can be dangerous. Whether they are political parties, the church, or corporations. We must look at how things have turned out elsewhere and not repeat the mistakes others have made. The only thing we can do is to be on our guard. It may be too late to do anything about the US, but we can surely protect ourselves from such manipulation in other parts of the world.

Similar Posts:

• The correct way of viewing Society – October 8, 2006
• Man, a Slave to Time – October 13, 2006
• What Democracy is all about – October 12, 2006
• 5 reasons why I won’t tip you if you’re a waiter – November 24, 2009
• Cruise Gratuities and tipping – February 10, 2009

Coming to the US has introduced me full force to the Patent system prevalent in the country. “Intellectual Property” as it is called rules large aspects of America’s legal system. Almost anything can be patented – right from software, to hairstyles (as my wife told me), to business practices. Coming from a country where such things don’t enter most people’s minds, I’ve been able to observe it from outside, and have realized that it’s contrary to the very thing that makes humans special.

It’s a travesty and an insult to the natural behavior of humans and goes against the very impulse that has propelled humanity to the top of the food chain. Don’t believe me? Read on!

Read more…

Similar Posts:

• The Environment? It’s not just us! – September 23, 2009
• Patents standing in the way of Combating Climate Change – September 16, 2009
• Giving away Green technologies – way to go! – November 14, 2009
• Climate Change – I’ve given up and lost hope – January 8, 2010
• US Businesses Challenge Global Warming in Court! – August 28, 2009

We had seen earlier how most Americans don’t believe in Global Warming, and I had gotten some pretty interesting comments including a typical American who put forth arguments claiming that human induced Climate Change isn’t real.

Now in a natural extension of this attitude, a coalition of American businesses are challenging Climate Change scientists in court, trying to show the public that Global Warming is false. This is typical of American corporations who try and skew public opinion by manufacturing “doubt” as to what is true in science in order to further their own goals.

Image Credit: http://www.seppo.net/

American Corporations fuel Climate Change denial

I for one, welcome this. It is going to be pleasant watching them crushed. What is amusing however, is that the final decision will be taken by a judge – a non scientist, whereas there is already a global consensus of scientists on the issue. Those familiar with their history will recall the Scopes Trial in 1925 when a science teacher was caught “illegally teaching evolution.” This will be only the second time in history where something like this is happening. The Scopes trial was in the United States as well. Coincidence?

It’s not surprising that American corporations are taking this step as the Government has woken up and realized that it can’t remain in denial about Climate Change any longer, and as a result have introduced legislation that will force these corporations to clean themselves up. Well, bring it on! Let’s watch this farce die a public humiliating death, and then we can finally get on with trying to save the planet if it’s not too late already.

Similar Posts:

• The Environment? It’s not just us! – September 23, 2009
• How Patents stifle and go against Human nature – September 21, 2009
• Want to Pollute? Pay for it – October 13, 2009
• Americans don’t believe in Global Warming! – July 13, 2009
• Climate Change – I’ve given up and lost hope – January 8, 2010

I’ve been in the USA for almost a year now and have had ample time to look at and view the structure of urban development in this country. Of course, there’s no doubt that due to greater affluence, there is a higher standard of living over here, but when it comes to India vs America from the point of view of the structure of the cities and villages, there’s no doubt in my mind which is better. For my Indian readers, let me try and explain how US cities are organized.

US cities and Zoning Laws

Let me start off by saying that what you see on TV regarding US cities isn’t true. On TV, you only see the big cities like Chicago, New York, DC, Los Angeles etc. Those are like the Indian cities of Delhi, Chennai and the like. Most of the US (95%) is organized into areas called suburbs – like our villages. Unlike the villages in India however, people are moving into the suburbs instead of away from them. So they’re growing. And as a person who has lived in Indian cities both big and small all his life, I can tell you first hand that the suburbs of America are a nightmare.

The major features of US suburbs is something called zoning. Zoning means that residential areas where people live are completely separated by large distances from areas where you can shop or go to work. This in itself would be ok, but for one hitch. The density of the suburbs is so low, that there is almost zero public transportation. No buses with any degree of proximity, and no trains that can take you within the districts themselves (only between districts).

Image Credit: Barrie Sutcliffe

This means that there is no viable means of transportation other than cars. And for someone like me who doesn’t drive at all due to environmental issues, it’s completely unlivable. Just imagine – to step out of the house to get a tube of toothpaste, you can’t just walk upto a kirana store nearby. You have to drive! You have to drive everywhere, with no exceptions. And in cars. Forget motorcycles. Most bikes here are specialized for power racing and are more expensive overall than cars. Also, the cold weather makes driving impossible for most of the year. In other words, you can’t suddenly feel like having a cup of coffee and stroll over to your local chai shop.

Cycling is also not viable since the distances are simply too large to cover. What I would give for some small little grocery stores littered around like in India! Where you can just step out in your sandals and walk across for a quick bite and a bar of soap maybe. In 25 years, I have never had a problem with living in any Indian city without a car. Even in Delhi University, a rickshaw would take you to Kamala Nagar in 10 mins for Rs. 5! Here there are no cabs on the streets you can just hail down like autos. You have to call one to your doorstep.

US suburbs are lonely places. There is nothing on the roads except for cars. While walking down the road, you see no humans at all! It’s just the whoosh of cars all over the place. In India, if you step out, there are people everywhere bumping into you, boys playing cricket on the roads, dogs roaming around – you feel that you’re not alone. Here you never meet any living creature on the roads. Just birds.

Image Credit: Beppie K

India vs America – the car culture

The US is a car based society. It’s unfortunate that Indians want to be like that as well. But in my opinion, it will never get as bad as it is in the US. For the simple reason that the US suburbs were built from the ground up keeping cars in mind. So there are large spaces and wide gaps that you can cross only with cars to work and to shop for the smallest thing. In India, the cities and towns are already built and you can’t demolish them. So you can always walk here and there. We’re lucky. We’re also lucky that politicians keep bickering and can’t make up their minds what to do. True, this prevents good long term policy from being enacted, but it also prevents stupid policy being enacted like that of suburban development in the US.

Image Credit: Rich_Lem

So to those of my fellow Indians who are thinking of coming to the US. Forget the image. It’s not a nice place to be. Don’t come here. You’ll miss the heat and crowds before you know it. You’ll miss the ability to walk to your local tea stall. You’ll miss driving on bikes. You’ll be stuck in a smelly tin can day after day for 405 hours each year. How this can be anything that anyone wants, I have absolutely no idea.

Similar Posts:

• Settling Down – September 10, 2008
• Going Vegetarian – October 29, 2009
• Two more days – then back in India! – January 6, 2010
• Paypal disallows Indians from receiving payments for services! – February 4, 2010
• Moving to Chicago – Almost but not quite! – August 28, 2008

Similar Posts:

• American audiences can’t face Evolution! – September 21, 2009
• 5 reasons why I won’t tip you if you’re a waiter – November 24, 2009
• Unemployment – Fighting Depression – March 24, 2008
• Quitting my job suddenly – March 10, 2008
• I’m an evolutionary failure! – February 8, 2010