The Bus through which I was supposed to return home today didnt turn up, and I ended up wasting a hour waiting for it to appear (And I thought, this was possible only in India!). Finally, I made myself to the library, and decided, well, its a good time to write a review, coz I still have another hour before the next Bus comes! And it struck me, why not review AMERICA! After all, its the most talked about nation in recent times..and I decided, well why not join the bandwagon!
Note: This is just a review. You may agree or dis-agree. The views presented here are just my own and are not intended to harm anyone.
First Impressions!
My first impression of America was when I saw the WTC while landing in New York Airport. One thing which struck me was the sheer heights of these buildings here! Of course, they looked cramped as well. But they did leave a impression. The staff at airport were very efficient (??? ofcourse, not on 11th september, though!), and I was glad that I had reached America.
The next thing which struck me in a few days was the amazing greenery the country has. It took me another day too realize that with a size 3 times India, and population 1/3 of India, no wonder that they were green. ( One of the corny explanations was also that American Companies cut Trees from other countries...so that they preserve their own...very believable!). Nonetheless, the greenery is very impressive, and so are the road networks!. however, I found the roads quite small in compared to some other countries. The best part of road network here is that you dont need to use your brain even 1 percent to drive...there are so many signboards to assist you that you finally get bored of them!
People
I must say, I am impressed as well amused by the people here. They are very coordial while talking, and very helpful too. The americans at our university are very friendly indeed. But I havent heard the same about people living in northern states! Sometimes, I feel amused too here that people act so extra polite to another person. The usage of sorry and thank you is so much that I get bugged of telling it to every second person I meet here! I also feel that the general knowledge of people here is quite limited. The people dont really bother to know whats going around the world, unless ofcourse if it happens to America! People ask such strange questions like ’Do you ride on elephants in India?’, or ’Do you have phones in India?’, ’I have heard there are no colleges in India!’
Culture & Social life
Very interesting! Many people ask ’Do americans have a culture?’..well, my guess is YES and NO. I dont think people have a set culture here which they follow...in fact, each one follows one’s own culture here. Its good in some ways that you need not answer anybody, and no one forces anything on you. But sometimes it does tend to get misused too. In fact, following one’s own wish or culture is something which I greatly liked here!
I also find Americans to be very independent, which is a quality I admire. But at the same time, they dont tend to have a emotional attachment to their families. The concept of a nuclear family ( a fast catching thing in India now) rules, rather than everybody being together. I think people here could do with a dose of sentimentalism!
Social life is pathetic here. There are no two ways about it. No one has time throughout the week...and whatever enjoyment is there is restricted to weekends only. People take time off to enjoy the weekend, and then its to business. People prefer to stay indoors here for most parts of day, and there is little or no communication with people around neighbourhood. Social life is something which I greatly miss here, and believe that our good old country is better in this respect! I am greatly missing those dandiyas, and diwalis and what nots!
I also feel that life in America is certainly not secure. Theres always a feeling of insecurity that something might happen somewhere!
Other Matters
There is no two ways about it that these guys have contributed to a lot of things, either in the GOOD way or the BAD way. Their contribution to world in matters of technology and science is immense, and amount of research that goes on here is simply amazing. But of course, it has also been utilized wrongly too. Sometimes, I do feel that America simply tries to poke its nose into other countries affairs, only to suffer itself. There is no reason as to why America is bent upon proving its superiority over other countries in the world when it might be best be happier minding its own business, and making the locals more happier than they are! Their contribution to world of music and cinema, and literature too is immense.
Few things about States which is quite amusing!
1. People love filing lawsuits here! I think its their favorite passtime!
2. There is too much hype on everything! I am inclined to believe that this country survives on hype!!
3. The traffic rules here are very amusing too.
Final Impressions!
I wouldnt specifically call this country a dream land, but yes its definately one of the best countries to be in around. But that does not make America a great nation. It might be the world’s richest super power, most advanced nation in the world, but its of no use as long as people’s life are not simple and manageable. I have made a sizeable number of american friends here, and most of them ( not all) are always complaining of credit card debts, pathetic family life, loans, mortgages and so on. I would just say that americans should try staying in some other country to actually see some other kind of life...and see that life is indeed simpler! In that respect, I find life is so much simpler to lead in India. So much so, that I long to be back where I belong.
I think its right to end with John Denver’s lines
Country Roads...take me home...to the place...I belong...INDIA!...’’