We in India always talk about the warmth and friendly behavior of our people. We are proud of the way we stand up for each other and help others in their times of need. Truly a great trait to have which becomes suffocating when carried to an extreme. I think what most Indians don’t know is when to offer help and when to not. I have seen that on those occasions – happy ones for eg. when someone has a baby; there is no point in visiting the just born baby and the newly-suffering mother except by close relatives or very close friends. I take it as an intrusion of someone’s privacy. In the times of grief, deaths and accidents, one has to be even more considerate about not being bothersome and imposing. The aim is to offer help and be on a standby. The aim is surely not to burden the already burdened family by asking meaningless questions and visiting at odd times aggravating the grief and the discomfort of those already in a fragile state.
The ones who are the worst are those who treat these unfortunate events as topics of discussion with the sole aim of gossiping. Sometimes I wonder how God has created some very insensitive people amidst us. Maybe, it is to help us appreciate and cherish those who offer their silent support and help to us like pillars of strength.
In our country, people want to show each other that they were the first ones on the scenes or that in that way it somehow shows that they care more caring a damn about the discomfort they end up causing. Some traits in some Indians are truly so irritating. Or maybe I am on some different plane altogether.
I hate this thoughtless “rubbing salt into the wounds” activity most Indians indulge in! Just adds to the woes of a broken soul!
Ah, an old post that you read. I also remember the incident that triggered this post. Yes, I hate these thoughtless actions too.