On Friday 29 Aug 2008 9:36:27 pm Thaths wrote: > On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 3:14 PM, Suresh Ramasubramanian > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Gautam John [29/08/08 18:40 +0530]: > >> On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 6:35 PM, ss <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >>> its a politeness thing. And not Asian > >> > >> You don't have to ask if someone has eaten to be polite, yes? > > > > I wonder if there's a culture somewhere where the question is "have you > > crapped today?" > > > > 1. The guy's eaten - obvious deduction from that question > > 2. His digestive system works fine - sense of physical well being etc etc > > The good Doctor Shastri is a gastroenterologist, IIRC. So he probably > *does* ask his patients if they have crapped already. :-)
Asking about crap is essential, as is asking about meals - but let' leave aside what else I need to do apart from just asking. As one's children grow up it becomes essential to ask if they have eaten. the reason is that children often "forget" to eat (or brush their teeth for that matter) - because they are so "busy (chatting for example) Missing a meal sets the stage for a terible bad mood that is sure to spoil your own day some time down the line. Making sure your kid has food in his stomach ensures that he remains a sweet angel. This is true of adults as well and there was a time when I used to skip breakfast regularly, and found myself snapping at nursing staff in the opreating theater by llunchtime - as well as developing trmors in my hands from low blood sugar. If you and your wife are snapping at each other - check when you had the last meal. A full stomach does wonders to one's mood - a fact that has a perfectly logical physiological explanation. That apart - and I do not mean to insult South Indians (I am one myself) - but I would say that North Indians are much more hospitable to guests that Southies. In the North - a glass of water or a drink is brought as soon as one walks in - the assumption being that you are going to be thirsty coming in from the hot Indian sun. Offering something to eat is an essential part of politenes.. Ensuring that someone is not hungry is important in Indian etiquette - a fact that seems to get lost as Macaulay takes over one's psyche (eh Gautam?) :D < ducking for cover > shiv
