Oct 11th: Things I Didn't Know

About Indian Culture Before I Came Here:

1.  Married women are signified by black beaded necklaces and rings on the second toe. Some rural cultures also put a line of red powder in the part of their hair
2. Indians don't feel obligated to give you change. If you have a large bill, you might be screwed. Sometimes, if they don't have the coins, they will give you a little candy, or a pack of gum. I once got a 5 rupee stamp instead of change. 
3. All their dinnerware is aluminum. All of it.
4. In a lot of situations there are separate sections for males and females. Trains have women/children only cars and festivals have gender segregated dancing sections. (the women's dancing sections are boring and they suck. patriarchal societies ya'll.)
5. The whole culture is about as homophobic as the mid 70's/early 80's, but boys and men who are friends will often hold hands with each other in public. They also ride double, or even triple, on motor cycles. 
6. All milk, unless otherwise marked, is buffalo milk.
7. Hermaphrodites or "transgenders" are almost all part of a community called "hijras" which are synonymous with beggars and prostitutes. 
8. Don't eat your rice with your chappati/naan. Stop even thinking about it right now. JUST DON'T DO IT.