To Goanet - The willingness to prostrate - or force someone to - before another is characteristic of Indians. This morning after a photo shoot at Institute Menezes Braganza, I sauntered across for a breakfast at Hotel Mandovi when, out of nowhere, a couple of guys sprang up. One offered a servile salute, rushed to open the door while the other offered to carry my bag.
This kind of 'hamaalgiri' is not part of the Goan character. Kerala is another place where people have a healthy sense of themselves. Not only will the Goan not salute you, you may have a few xapotam thrown your way for free if you pushed your luck. As a xapoter myself, I like that part of being Goan. But with the coming of ghatis and all the zillion useless 'security' guards from North India, this poisonous weed is fast spreading in Goa. When I was at a Gurgaon hotel in 2006 on an extended stay, the manner of the doorman was so utterly degrading that I once pulled him aside and offloaded my spiel about the white British sahabs having left the country over 50 years ago. He responded by saying that I was "100% correct, Sir." But what to do, if he did not salute and rush to open and close doors, the hotel management would fire him. And then there are those rich Delhi savages who will take umbrage if you didn't appear sufficiently servile. I finally arrived at a deal with him - no opening or closing of doors for me. A smart, "Welcome, Sir" would do just fine. "Sir" was part of my compromise deal. Warm regards r
