I love being Indian. I love the culture, the history, the food, the language, the movies, etc. Being a first generation American, I’ve come to realize that we Indians are a little different here in the States. There are a few things that set us apart from the rest of the population. On my flight to Dallas last week, I decided to see how many of these things I could come up with. Let’s just say my list wasn’t short!
Please remember this list is supposed to be funny, and all of the things I talk about are based on my personal experiences as a first generation Indian in America. I am not trying to offend anyone. I promise!
So, you know you are Indian when nothing ever starts on time. It’s so bad that there’s a term for it – Indian Standard Time. I kid you not!
Another way you know you’re Indian is when an entire kitchen drawer, container, etc. is dedicated to Taco Bell Sauce packets. At our house, it was always a huge white container. It’s a staple in most Indian kitchens!
You’re most likely Indian if the invite list to your wedding includes people like your mom’s cousin’s wife’s sister’s daughter’s uncle. 
Of course this is a slight exaggeration, but it’s crazy who can end up on the list if you don’t keep a close eye on it.
My personal childhood favorite – I always felt like the odd one out when we had substitute teachers because they could never pronounce my name. So, I would raise my hand right before my name was about to be called so that he/she didn’t have to say it. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. And as a side note, I’ve been called everything from Patita to Potato. Gah!
Another way you know you’re Indian is if there’s an entire closet in your house for blankets and pillows. I know what y’all are thinking…an entire closet!? In our house it’s the closet in the upstairs guest room. I laugh every time I see it!
Another surefire way you know you’re Indian is when all or the majority of the cars in your garage and/or driveway are either Toyotas, Hondas, or some combination of both. I think we’ve only owned two maybe three other kinds of cars. I currently own a Honda Civic.
These were the ones I came up with before I decided to take a nap on the plane, but I did a little Google search to see if I could find any I may not have thought of, and I found a few more that cracked me up.
You know you’re Indian when…
You’re parents are panicking if you’re not married by 25 (especially true if you’re a female).
Everyone in your family has nicknames that sound absolutely nothing like their real names.
You talk for an hour at someone’s front door before heading home after a dinner party (this annoyed me so much when I was younger…now I do it too!).
You secure your luggage with a rope.
In actuality, these things along with everything I talked about at the beginning of this post are why I love being Indian. Truly! And I’m pretty sure nothing is going to change with my generation. It’s in our blood!
Are there things about your culture that make you laugh!?
Hahahaha…this made me laugh so much. It’s funny how Indians are the same all around the world. Half of those things are so true for Indians here in Australia as well (except Taco Bell since we don’t have that here lol)
My parents own a Toyota Camry and it was hilarious to see like a hundred of them parked outside a family friend’s house 😛
That’s awesome! I had no idea Taco Bell had such a loyal Indian following. 🙂
The standing at the door talking for an hour thing is also a Southern affliction. I remember that being downright painful as a kid.
So loyal in fact that we don’t have to say “no meat, add beans.” They almost always know!
HAHAH love this and agree with ever single one of those! You know your Indian when your parents shriek when they read the label says “Made in India”–> especially after seeing the price
SOOO true!
Lol. I love being an Indian and my inability to eat anything non-spicy at times. I have bags of Pizza Hut’s crushed red pepper packets, just in case I order take-out! Thanks for the great post.
I totally adore being Indian, which is kinda funny because I have 0 Indian friends. I am the token Brown girl 😉
haha! I have a few more to add (probably way more if I thought about it longer)
-You save old yogurt/sour cream/cool whip containers and use them as tupperware
-Somehow everyone can talk loudly at the same time and no one seems to think it’s a problem
-“my cousin” refers to way more extended relations than most cultures
-You come back from India with plastic bags of pickles, spices, etc. stuffed in your suitcase.
Oh and so many more! I love being Indian too 🙂
Hahaha! Agreed. Agreed. Agreed. Agreed. Hilarious!!!
This is awesome! And that taco bell sauces thing, you mean we weren’t alone in this?!
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