lunch talks

Monday

Vishal: So what is the religion in the US, Christianity?

Me: um…well, no. I guess maybe it’s built on Christian principles but we aren’t a ‘Christian’ Country.

Vishal: What kind of country are you?

Me: We aren’t meant to be a ‘religious’ country per se.

Vishal: What’s the majority?

Me: I guess Christianity. Although I’d estimate we have equal parts jews/non-believers so all together that makes up the majority.

Vishal: What are you?

Me: Me? I’m nothing.

Vishal: You are a nonbeliever????”

Me: Yes.

[silence]

Varsha: You don’t pray…at all?

Me: No.

Varsha: Wow, I spend so much time praying.

VishalG: Well then what do you do when you need to do really well on a test? Who do you thank if you get a promotion?

Me: I study. And I guess I thank my luck.

[laughter]

Vishal: I guess there is something in that, You are completely responsible for yourself.



Wednesday

Vishal: Are you going to have your cook learn Indian food when you go back to the states?

Me: [snort] Yeah, I’ll make sure to teach myself.

Vishal: You cook?

Me: Yes, I do everything.

Vishal: Your laundry? [nod] Your dishes? [nod] Your ironing? [nod] Your driving, your car washing?

Rupal: It’s cleaner there, they don’t need to wash their cars.

Vishal: How much does it cost to clean your car?

Me: 10 bucks for the outside.

Vishal: The OUTSIDE? I pay 4 dollars a month and I get it cleaned every day. How much is baby care?

Me: Women I know don’t go back to work because they’d lose money paying for daycare even with their jobs.

Vishal: I don’t understand, don’t you have any luxuries? I thought you had Mexicans?

Me: See? We don’t have time to pray.

Vishal: I feel better now, I like being Indian.