“Weather is good today..looks like a sunny day, honey. We can go n check out some living room sets” my hubby said to me. “Okay dear, we will start in an hour or so”
We both being very much choosy, visited many shops n searched for the furniture. If I liked the sofa, he would not like the coffee table with it. If he insisted on some sofa fabric, I would have a better color n design option in mind. so…after the long discussion with my better half, our search ended and we both nailed down on a complete living room set. It was a decent micro suede fabric sofa+love seat with leather base, matching wooden+glass coffee table with end tables. With the negotiation & formalities getting over, the Living room set was ours finally 🙂 The dealer was also happy for selling the furniture at a good deal and we were happier as it was going to be delivered to our home next day morning 🙂
It was a sunny Sunday morning and our furniture arrived! We were surprised to see that it was the dealer himself who came up to deliver it. In USA, its people’s thinking that “No work is a small work” Here children start working at the age of 16, they work at pizza huts, Subways, coffee shops, many kids clean up neighbor’s backyard garden as the “Summer job”! No matter what age they are or how rich their parents are. Reason, everybody likes to be independent here. Work really is worship for them and they are not ashamed of it if its a small work. Apparently in my place back home, if somebody’s son/daughter is doing some small job for living, I have seen people cursing their parents for it and even parents feel ashamed of it, if their kids are working just as a vacation job. (eg. “Khari Kamai” program during school summer vacation)
These thoughts startled in my mind watching the dealer’s teenager son and wife helping him move stuff. When I asked him about why his family accompanied him today, he said that they have gone to church before coming at our place. Americans never miss their Sunday church prayer.
While I was preparing parathas, the furniture was all set in our home. We invited them for the breakfast too. After insisting, they agreed to come. They hadn’t tasted Indian food before, so I was curious how they will find it. I served the hot Aloo parathans with yogurt. “This might be somewhat spicy for you” I said to them. While my husband was talking to them, I prepared two more parathaas and they really liked it. We both were glad to know that they knew a lot about India and Indian culture and now they like the Indian food too 😉
While leaving they said to us “We had heard about Indian culture n how they treat their guests as God.” the dealer tried to recall something and said, “Atithi Devo Bhava” that’s what you call and is very true. We appreciate it!” and happy heartedly they left our home. We said B-bye to them. So, this was one of the content weekends and yes, we hosted our first American guests too. “Atithi Devo Bhava..” I felt proud to hear that. I was so happy to know that our Indian culture is known and appreciated all over the world!
Happy Living…
Shruti 🙂
Shruti's Space 