Misconceptions and stereotypes are automatically generated in our head whether we want to or not. And quite honestly it is not our fault, the same way Americans feel that India is a land of snake charmers and fakirs we Indians feel that Americans are a bunch of wealthy fat people. So to eradicate those beyond stupid assumptions people make about each others worlds I thought I would ever so proudly write about my beloved country. Bashers can go and find themselves a wall for I am never going to stop supporting my country.
1. Food: - The most common misconception people have about India is that they believe we eat nothing but spicy food, food that is too heavy or oily. The nature of the food mainly depends on where you stay. I do agree that we have many overly spicy dishes that might make you ooze fluids from every opening in your body but leaving a few specific states spicy food is not too common here. India is a place where you can find food for any kind of a stomach, I have problems with acidity due to stress yet I do not compromise on my favorite dishes which include Pani Puri, bisibele baat, parathas and so on. There is not a single dish in India that does not taste awesome whether it is spicy or non spicy. And no we do not use curry for every dish we have..
2. Living: - Due to Slumdog Millionaire, people assume that Indians live in shacks and huts that are periodically razed down. But like our foreign compatriots we have certain areas in each town occupied by slum dwellers. Unlike popular belief we do have our share of beautiful bungalows, apartments, suburbs and villas.
3. Traffic & Ethics: - Only busy cities have horrid traffic. Yes, we do not follow the rules as stringently like our foreign friends but are improving on that. Many assume that because we were villagers ruled by Maharajas centuries ago, we still live & behave like barbarians. Not true….
4. Superstitions & Astrology: - This has to be the most common stereotype conjured up among foreigners, “Indians cannot live without superstitions and astrology”. It is true to a certain limit, the same way most of the world looks at the daily horoscope as a guidance, we too listen to the stars. But that does not mean that we cannot live without it. I do not believe in astrology but understand that our ancestors treated the stars as a science and not hocus pocus. Our ancestors believed that each element in nature emits energy and that energy affects our life either causing good or bad effects, so to reduce bad energy affecting us they researched a lot thus using math, stars, stones and so on to give us the positive energy wherever required. Just because a few people took that overboard does not mean that everyone does the same.
5. Punjabi Prison: - This one is dedicated to a person very close to me; he for some reason assumes that India has only one prison, The Punjabi Prison… Well my dear friend, there are much more prisons in India but I will say that Punjab’s prison has one of the most twisted criminals who would not mind man handling you just for the heck of it 
6. Ceremonies: - Most foreigners think that our ceremonies are nothing but long winded mumbo jumbo and pointless. Others feel that we have nothing else to do than dole out money for ceremonies we *supposedly* don’t need. But every ceremony we have has a reason. In India we believe in celebrating and rejoicing every achievement for goodwill brings goodwill. And I see the logic in each and every ceremony that exists. Like the house warming ceremony, it is done to increase the positive vibes of the new home & soothe any spirits living with us. On “Ayudha pooja” we are grateful to all the machines we use (computers, cars, sewing machines etc) for helping us reach all our goals.
7. Language: – The funkiest assumption ever made is that we Indians cannot talk English, it is true that we have problems with pronunciations but that does not mean that we are unable to speak the language. In hopes of contradicting me, if you point at villagers and tell me (pseudo triumphantly) that they are unable to speak English. I would simply call you a loser 
. All that I can say is that our national language is not English so it is not *necessary* for us to know the language. But it is best if you learn your language before expecting us to know it (Yes… I know there are many foreigners who cannot speak English right)
8. Bollywood: - No, not all our movies involve us running around trees and canoodling behind bushes. It used to be but nowadays we do have quite a number of excellent movies. Screw Paheli!!! The only reason it ever gained fame was due to hype like most Hindi movies. Besides Hollywood has had its share of horridly lame movies. I would recommend watching shwaas(deep & dark) or matichya chuli (light & funny) which are in Marathi.
9. Marriage: - I will not comment on the arranged marriage bit because it happens everywhere even among foreigners and not just Indians. But the true reason why arranged marriages were a norm then was because kids were bound by duty to their parents, the fact that parents knew their kids best & chose a bride for the entire family instead of just the guy as the traditional Indian families were big. And NO we do not give away elephants as GIFTS/DOWRY. And yes that long tedious ceremony has got the most beautiful meaning just like the western man’s vows are beautiful.
10. Junk Food :- One of the funnier more paranoia inspired assumptions, this again is dedicated to my best friend who believes that “western” junk food does not taste the same as the one he gets there. Fine, i agree that you might not get the EXACT flavor of lays but I can assure you that the coke tastes the same.
There were much more points but I am lazy so it might be eons before I updated this post properly.. You can always help me by posting your comments
Clap
#1 No my assumption was you used nothing but curry
#2 Nope did not think that
#3 I will stay away from roads as much as possible
#4 I find it interesting and intriguing to watch and hear about such things
#5 I did not say that was the only prison, I told you, “it was a hardcore prison with the most hardcore of prisoners.”
#6 I do not consider them mumbo jumbo
#7 Some people have the heavy accented English and so regardless if they are speaking English it is very hard to hear or understand them.
#8 Unless they have a porn industry, I know Bollywood is famous for its musical movies that consist of dancing and off pitch singing.
#9 That is true, but India is most famous for arranged marriages
#10. I guess we will find out.
you forgot the “Indians listen to only classical music” bit.
Look at me for an example
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