Adventures in India

I couldn't bring myself to take pictures - it's hard for me to do anything subtly here because I'm being stared at for being pale already, and I really don't want to seem rude - so you'll have to take my word for this.

In Oklahoma, you see friends walking down the street together. If they're getting along particularly well, you'll see some back-slaps, a good-natured body shove, and maybe a quick shoulder squeeze.

In Oklahoma, you see couples (married or otherwise) walking down the street together. If they're getting along particularly well, you'll see hands laced together, arms resting around the waist/shoulder, or some more, ah, blatant displays of affection.

Well, surprise surprise, things are different here in India.

Here, if friends are walking down the street together, you'll see more of the couple's behavior than friends. It's particularly disconcerting to see two men holding hands or draping their arms across each others' waists. But it happens here all the time. And it's very, very normal.

On the other side, I don't see much of the couple behavior from actual couples. I can't say for certain it doesn't happen, but I don't remember seeing a man and woman doing anything from the friends column, much less the couple's.

I asked Jason whether any of his co-workers try to hold his hand when they go out for lunch. He says no. I'm guessing his "don't touch me" vibe is working just fine.