From Indian Standard Time to American Punctuality
It had been a few months in the US, but I was still grappling with American concepts of time….
When American English Breaks Hearts
Like any concerned mother, mine was worried about me after my divorce and wanted me to consider getting married…
The Perils of Self-Medication: A Cultural Norm
Self-diagnosis and self-medication run rampant in the country. One day, I was visiting a friend, and as soon as…
Reacquainting with the Rupee: Adjusting to Inflation
One side effect of a rapidly growing economy is inflation. In the US, I was accustomed to stable prices…
Customer Service and The Art of Persuasion: An American Accent Advantage
I was once traveling with a friend who was having a nightmare trying to get a refund for her…
Street Food Nostalgia and The Mighty Indian Immune System
A few weeks after arriving in India, I received news that my friend from the US, Sangeeta, was visiting…
Lost in Translation: The Great Anglo-American Language Divide
Unexpected Toppings: A Pizza Peril My office used to indulge us with free lunches featuring a different cuisine daily,…
From Casino Slots to Sandy Beach: A Jackpot Smooch
Moving to a new place for work usually means your coworkers become your first friends and initial social circle….
Chalta hai, Ho Jaega, Dekh Lenge
What bothered me the most during my four-month stay in India? It was definitely the timeless laid-back “chalta hai”…
Lost in Pronunciation: Phonetic Follies
When I first landed in the US, I settled in Santa Clara, California, a quiet neighbor to bustling San…