Goan Peculiarities by Cedric Silveira
PEOPLE the world over are identified by certain behaviors. Goans too are known worldwide for certain characteristics. Although they may not be seen that often as of now, yet old habits they say die hard. Hence it may not be surprising to get smells of curry or fish outside a Goan house even abroad. Strange as it may sound, but we tend to give all the possible foodstuff, including dried fish to any one of our friends or relatives going abroad. But Goans are not only differentiated by the food that they cook but also by a number of other aspects. It may be only in Goa where parents tend to get upset if their children get 98% marks and ask them where the other 2% has gone. If an argument occurs in the family, be sure that the people concerned will not be in talking terms for a good 10 years or even more. Brothers and sisters invariably end up not talking to one another on account of property matters or at times even on account of trivial issues. Yet it is our over hospitable nature which sets us apart. For if any guest comes over for a meal, there is no limit to which we can go in feeding him. The word 'No thank you' as such carries no relevance as we tend to keep on filling the plate of the guest till he sighs and gives up. The reason for this behavior is that first of all we are excited that a guest has come over, and for our satisfaction we want him/her to try out all the dishes. For invariably one person does not do the cooking, and all the family members who have cooked the meal, wish that the guest have had at least a bite of the food that they have cooked. And in the days gone by, the fact that a relative was abroad was also a big thing in Goa. Whenever he would return home, the whole neighbourhood was out there to receive him. In my village in the 70's, a man had secured a job in the Gulf. Interestingly on the day of his departure, a group of at least 25 people went to drop him at the airport. However things are slowly changing in Goa, and people travel to the US and Europe as if they going to Mapusa or Panaji. Feasts and festivities are loosing their charm. Your next door neighbour may have gone abroad and you do not know about it till he returns three months later. And instead of smells of fish and curries, it is the smell of pizzas or Chinese food that emancipates from the houses. That is the sad part of the whole process of getting modernised. What will result in the years to come is anyone's guess. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=120525 -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
