Today was the last day of our two-week classroom sessions in a town near NYC. We were scheduled to make the presentation that we had prepared all week for, to attend a health session and wind-up. By custom, people here want to chill towards the end of a long workweek. So, the mood was upbeat.
Trust me, I really dint want to go. But was kinda forced, I can say, in my defence. You know, what they say, how 'good' things in life are painful and boring and 'bad' things in life are so fun and tempting. So, after the presentation at the conference room, I headed there with my colleagues.
This lady was assigned to me. Or I was assigned to this lady. Same difference. However, there were 3 other ladies in the room. They were not overtly busy. Time of day, I guess.
So, after the small talk, we get down to business. She asks me to strip. She is sensitive and asks me whether I would prefer to do it privately. There was no hint of any charges for the privacy. Obviousy, it was not a situation I wished my colleagues to see me in. I could not spot them nearby. Either they had finished their 'sessions' earlier or were in an adjacent room. I looked around. They were all women and all professionals. Like anybody cares, I thought.
Honestly, I dint even expect to tell this to you all. But then, you people encourage me to experience new things; and write about them, don't you. I cannot possibly not record a remarkable experience.
For a minute I wondered what the convention here was. Which garment should I undo ? Guess it is also a function of how old you are and which part of the world you are in.
While I was undoing my shirt, she was feeling my arms. She saw the shanka and chakra brands on my arms and freaked out. She wanted to know what it was, whether it hurt, if I had it voluntarily or not. She exhibited curiousity as she went about her business. Thorough professional that she was,she was keen to do her job right (no pun intended) and, I suppose, prioritised customer satisfaction. I could not believe I was chatting with this American blonde on my religious symbols while we were doing what we were doing.
Really. But I was. I told her how it was a cultural thing, a token of affiliation to a religious group. She was inquisitive about Hinduism; wanted to know if all Hindus were vegetarian; I told her a majority were not vegetarian but most Hindus would not eat beef. It went on... until we were done. As I was buttoning up, I explained how the cow was a holy symbol to Hindus. We revere the cows because we use her milk and other milk derivative products.
The chat removed the uneasiness between us. It can get uncomfortable, I mean, what do you talk when she is performing the act. However, it was a breeze. Her loquaciousness mixed with curiosity made it a pleasant experience.
Not in my defence, but one must see it to believe how thoroughly professional these Americans are. First thing into the room, I had to register. Health precaution is No.1 priority. Before we got started, she had a questionnaire in front of her, asking even of any Hepatitis infection in the past. Honestly, I dint know Hepatitis A was an STD until I googled later.
Guess you people were right after all; travelling expands one's perspective of life; of truth; makes us break boundaries. To question our concept of morals. To meet interesting people. Who would have guessed that there could be such an inquisitive vaccine-administering nurse.
Trust me, I really dint want to go. But was kinda forced, I can say, in my defence. You know, what they say, how 'good' things in life are painful and boring and 'bad' things in life are so fun and tempting. So, after the presentation at the conference room, I headed there with my colleagues.
This lady was assigned to me. Or I was assigned to this lady. Same difference. However, there were 3 other ladies in the room. They were not overtly busy. Time of day, I guess.
So, after the small talk, we get down to business. She asks me to strip. She is sensitive and asks me whether I would prefer to do it privately. There was no hint of any charges for the privacy. Obviousy, it was not a situation I wished my colleagues to see me in. I could not spot them nearby. Either they had finished their 'sessions' earlier or were in an adjacent room. I looked around. They were all women and all professionals. Like anybody cares, I thought.
Honestly, I dint even expect to tell this to you all. But then, you people encourage me to experience new things; and write about them, don't you. I cannot possibly not record a remarkable experience.
For a minute I wondered what the convention here was. Which garment should I undo ? Guess it is also a function of how old you are and which part of the world you are in.
While I was undoing my shirt, she was feeling my arms. She saw the shanka and chakra brands on my arms and freaked out. She wanted to know what it was, whether it hurt, if I had it voluntarily or not. She exhibited curiousity as she went about her business. Thorough professional that she was,she was keen to do her job right (no pun intended) and, I suppose, prioritised customer satisfaction. I could not believe I was chatting with this American blonde on my religious symbols while we were doing what we were doing.
Really. But I was. I told her how it was a cultural thing, a token of affiliation to a religious group. She was inquisitive about Hinduism; wanted to know if all Hindus were vegetarian; I told her a majority were not vegetarian but most Hindus would not eat beef. It went on... until we were done. As I was buttoning up, I explained how the cow was a holy symbol to Hindus. We revere the cows because we use her milk and other milk derivative products.
The chat removed the uneasiness between us. It can get uncomfortable, I mean, what do you talk when she is performing the act. However, it was a breeze. Her loquaciousness mixed with curiosity made it a pleasant experience.
Not in my defence, but one must see it to believe how thoroughly professional these Americans are. First thing into the room, I had to register. Health precaution is No.1 priority. Before we got started, she had a questionnaire in front of her, asking even of any Hepatitis infection in the past. Honestly, I dint know Hepatitis A was an STD until I googled later.
Guess you people were right after all; travelling expands one's perspective of life; of truth; makes us break boundaries. To question our concept of morals. To meet interesting people. Who would have guessed that there could be such an inquisitive vaccine-administering nurse.
