the BIG question.

I was at a wedding here in Delhi about six years ago being introduced to an elderly gentleman, after he loosened his grip from my hand he asked: “what are your qualifications.”

I was shocked, and somewhat offended by this question - what do qualifications mean anyway? I mumbled something, then went and told my cousin what had happened.

He said, “oh, don’t worry, people ask that all the time in India, they just want to know what you do.” I wasn’t worried, just slightly confused as to why he or anyone would ask this question only a one second after meeting me. Whatever, happened to “how was you day, or are you enjoying the wedding or do you know the bride or the groom!”

I didn’t know the ‘hidden agenda’ in asking this question back then – but I do now. And I am not impressed.

Socially, India is a very strange place to accustom yourself to. People here will ask you very frank (or should that be INTRUSIVE!) questions even after a few minutes of meeting you. They want to know your full life story, from what you (and your parents) do for a living, to how much you earn (YES, it does happen), to why you aren’t married (if you are over 28 years of age)! Nothing is held back, and for any newcomer to this place, it can be a tad overwhelming. Thankfully, I have spent much of the last 6 years in India and NOTHING surprises me anymore - nothing! And, I've realised it is usually family that ask the most questions! Hence the reason I live alone!

Most people in Australia would only ask someone what they did for living to make conversation, or out of some real interest – in India this is rarely the case.

Here, people generally ask what you do or what are your qualification are, or family does, for one reason only – to size you up and place you in predefined ‘class’ of people.

For example, professionals such as Doctor, CA’s, Engineers and IT people are generally one step away from being ordained as one of Jesus's disciples!

However, a working class person, a labourer, electrician, builder, cook or taxi driver is treated with the same contempt as a terrorist, in social standing that is!

Oddly, being wealthy does not automatically place you up the pecking order. Here, the accumulation of degrees which SADLY most see as a sign of intelligence, helps you move up this imaginary social ladder. And the wealthy fruit-shop owner (that may earn 10-times more than a CA), but lacks these paper credentials is not considered worthy of moving up this ladder.

I do wish to point out one thing that I DO NOT believe in any system of 'classes.' It is an entirely 'man-made' system. And that neither money nor degrees can buy a person REAL CLASS - only the quality of their character can.

Sometimes it's a very sad, unmeaningful story observing such pretentious existences here in India. Although the caste system does not formally exist, the class system certainly does. People are judged on a very superficial level, and the quality of ones character means nothing in comparison to ones 'supposed' educational credentials. Class distinction is far more noticeable here in India than in Australia, where people from all backgrounds associate with each other. In India an electrician, labourer or plumber would almost NEVER mix socially with a doctor or MBA - however, this is not the case in Australia where money or education rarely play a factor.

Honestly, I believe that those who are interested in asking these intrusive questions are grossly insecure, needing constant validation that their lives have some meaning. In most cases I am certain they don't!

Hey, I’m no psychologist with a fancy degree though, but I'd sure love to own a fruit shop!