The Indian Micro-Society (the chawl) in USA

I very recently observed very closely a strange phenomenon in the US of A among the people who moved from India to the US to work on myriad combinations of Visas. The interesting combination of attempts to fit in with the culture by resorting to beer and wine as the preferred beverages with the urgent need to protect the identity of origin is often a complex exhibition that is almost a new culture in itself – very often regarded as a “confused desi” culture, this way of life is a constant evolution of perspective. And the revolution in styles of living back home in the sub-continent is probably the most affected fall outs of this perspective.

What has changed? Indians (and our neighbors from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri-Lanka) have been migrating throughout the history, predominantly in search for the “better life” out west. These old timers who now are grand parents and even great-grandparents formed the infrastructure and basis for the phenomenal rise in immigrant and non-immigrant alien workers from the sub-continent, viz. businesses and facilities customized for the community. Ranging from Indian flavored pizzas to theatres screening our favorite flicks from Bollywood. The change is in the kind of people who have moved here not in search for a better life in the west (which very often meant a movement from under-developed towards rich) to those who have a good life to earning means to a better life back home. Therein lies the change.

Our new age community comprises of a demography that is educated and have well paying jobs back home and do not aim to settle down in US. We all have plans to go back home sooner than later. Our sojourn to the US is really to pay for the house we will go back and settle in, the comfort we want to lay out for our immediate family  and from what is left fund the car and the education for children (looking into the future here) This, I believe, is what really is the factor that has changed the way the “confused desi” interacts with the environment. The need to mingle and yet hold onto the identity has crafted a behavioral pattern that is quite unique. Some of the very distinct indications, we would hate to say ‘yes we do’ (and laughed upon) to are actually derived from this very outlook.

• You will know you are in a neighborhood with the new age immigrant when you see Toyota’s (specifically the Camry and Corolla) and the Honda Civics, often beaten down from years and many hands of ownership. It may be an uncomfortable ride but as long as it gives you a good mileage and has some possibility of a resale value, it is practical and makes sense.
• Friday nights are reserved almost exclusively for "poker nights” and I can bet my money on the fact that within the boundary of three or four apartment groups there will be at least 10 households hosting a poker party. If you are in uptown city, then you may also be inviting the natives (in this context citizens of US).
• Between 3 PM and 5 PM, depending on the work culture of the pre-dominant client for whom most of the chawl dwellers will be working, you will see a range of kids, wives and ‘work-from-home’rs hanging out and communicating wishes and jokes from their respective balconies and windows. I at my wife’s who would pool to office with her colleagues and the only way I knew she was back was the sudden rise of noise levels (almost cacophonic) in an otherwise quiet neighborhood.
• Walk into the chawl in America and there is a ‘mix-of-spices’ smell that will intoxicate and lure you in. In India (and the subcontinent) one will not feel the sharp distinctness of the fragrance because it is commonplace. In the land of the bland food where jalapeno passes for spicy, this grip of spices is extremely characteristic.
• The local WalMart will have fresh food in plenty of varieties you will see limited stock elsewhere, and vice versa. Where the average American will expect to see fresh broccoli and iceberg lettuce, the WalMart will have wider and deeper stock of cabbages, cauliflower and ladies-fingers. The shelves of Great Value items are wider and definitely have the most to offer.
• Search through the garbage and you can tell if the chawl is dominated by population from the sub-continent – you will find every bag dominated by empty packets of Maggi (these days they put the label Indian noodles trying to expand the consumer base), Brook Bond tea and Parle-G biscuits.
• There will be regional music definitely and in the midst you will still hear forgotten tunes (popular back home still) dating back to the ages of The Beatles, Elvis and ranging up to the eon of Boy/Girl Bands.
• Take a count of the iPhones and you will find out every household will have at least 2 – one for use and the other waiting for the contract to be served and shipped back as gifts to India. Other common gadgets that are a great sell (I even saw special sales campaigns aimed at the community) and widely bought are Vonage, Dish TV (another indicator of the presence from the sub-continent) and in most places Bose speakers or headsets.

These are some of the many distinctive objects that define our way of life as we adopt to the culture of the west while trying to keep true to our roots. I hope I have not in any way derogated the perspective as I am a firm believer and proud citizen of the community myself. I however was amused at the predictability and believe that there is a commonness and rationale behind what is very wrongly denoted as “confused desi” culture. There is nothing confused about the way we make our choices.

The rhyme and reason behind what may appear as idiosyncrasies is very well defined and even worth a detailed study (this I am sure many of the sellers are busy undertaking). From the Indian store stocking on rare masalas (spices) and products that even fail to sell in metropolitan cities back home (Tiger Balm, Dantmanjan, etc.)  to the variety of restaurants with diverse tastes claiming to be authentic Indian food, we have it very well established and deep rooted.

No matter how harsh the immigration policies get, we are well over a billion back home and we are here to stay and grow. And provide you the cherished Chicken Tikka Masala, Mango Lassi and support your IT systems for generations.