I saw some varying aspects of the Q women here. Not shocking or surprising and I did not stare more than the quota I allowed myself. But I'm one for learnings in new places and will grab on to a window to a new culture wherever possible.
Q women - Reserved? Forward? Backward? Rude? Nice?.... I cannot answer those questions now. Because not just that it's too soon, but I can't say what really lies beyond that veil. As it is our faces carries masks and veiled people have a lot that we can't see anyhow. But eyes gives them away and my first encounter with a native Q woman gave away to an experience that stayed with me for the day.
I had gone for my medicals as part of new country formalities. I entered into this building where the first sign was ' Only women '. I think the last time I was in a strictly feminine building was 10 years ago, in my convent school where atleast the watchmen and canteen people were men. Thus I sat down in a place where I could have a good view of the hall full of different women - Indian (ubiquitous!!),Q,Filipinos and some other nationalities I can't put my finger on exactly. and how colorful it was!! Not all Q women are veiled and dressed in full black. The more independent ( can I say that ?) ones just have a scarf over their head but their attire belies the scarf attitude. In denims and fashionable tops,I guess the scarf was just adherence and obedience to a rule. I myself took mental note of some designs for my next shopping spree!
Slam! first encounter - she asked something and i couldn't decipher. I'm sorry I can't really understand what you are saying lady. I think I should learn the local language soon! Your tongue rolls different from those from God's own country and if you ask I'm pregnant I may just nod! ...when I'm not yet! :) .
2nd slam !2nd encounter - 'are you here for passtime?' me - 'huh?' .....that was demeaning aint it? ;) worked for 3 years in corporate and just coz I'm married and currently unemployed doesn't mean I'm here for 'passtime'. So I said I'm housewife,ahem!,for the time being!! . She stares at me with thickly kohled eyes which are beginning to get smaller with not-so-much-patience. 'are you here for passtime?' passtime ? passssstimmeee! ' ...no she didn't shout just kept on emphasizing , assuming I will just understand what she says. Which ,ofcourse, i didn't! So after a lot of 'passtime' and generally time wastage of mine and other starting-to-get-annoyed ubiquitous Indians, Filipinos and some Europeans, she just gave up (sigh) and said go to counter 3 for Xray.
3rd slam and dunk! - I learnt my lessons and stood too-close-for-comfort to the Xray woman so that I know what english word she actually means when she rolls her tongue! Thankfully she was better.
All formalities done and after I came out I told my friend waiting outside for me,of the 'passtime' incident. He says 'oh she must have meant - ' are you here for first time ?' Ouch! now that's slam,dunk and self goal!
Well,I have decided to take one day at a time and relishing the experience slowly. :)
Q women - Reserved? Forward? Backward? Rude? Nice?.... I cannot answer those questions now. Because not just that it's too soon, but I can't say what really lies beyond that veil. As it is our faces carries masks and veiled people have a lot that we can't see anyhow. But eyes gives them away and my first encounter with a native Q woman gave away to an experience that stayed with me for the day.
I had gone for my medicals as part of new country formalities. I entered into this building where the first sign was ' Only women '. I think the last time I was in a strictly feminine building was 10 years ago, in my convent school where atleast the watchmen and canteen people were men. Thus I sat down in a place where I could have a good view of the hall full of different women - Indian (ubiquitous!!),Q,Filipinos and some other nationalities I can't put my finger on exactly. and how colorful it was!! Not all Q women are veiled and dressed in full black. The more independent ( can I say that ?) ones just have a scarf over their head but their attire belies the scarf attitude. In denims and fashionable tops,I guess the scarf was just adherence and obedience to a rule. I myself took mental note of some designs for my next shopping spree!
Slam! first encounter - she asked something and i couldn't decipher. I'm sorry I can't really understand what you are saying lady. I think I should learn the local language soon! Your tongue rolls different from those from God's own country and if you ask I'm pregnant I may just nod! ...when I'm not yet! :) .
2nd slam !2nd encounter - 'are you here for passtime?' me - 'huh?' .....that was demeaning aint it? ;) worked for 3 years in corporate and just coz I'm married and currently unemployed doesn't mean I'm here for 'passtime'. So I said I'm housewife,ahem!,for the time being!! . She stares at me with thickly kohled eyes which are beginning to get smaller with not-so-much-patience. 'are you here for passtime?' passtime ? passssstimmeee! ' ...no she didn't shout just kept on emphasizing , assuming I will just understand what she says. Which ,ofcourse, i didn't! So after a lot of 'passtime' and generally time wastage of mine and other starting-to-get-annoyed ubiquitous Indians, Filipinos and some Europeans, she just gave up (sigh) and said go to counter 3 for Xray.
3rd slam and dunk! - I learnt my lessons and stood too-close-for-comfort to the Xray woman so that I know what english word she actually means when she rolls her tongue! Thankfully she was better.
All formalities done and after I came out I told my friend waiting outside for me,of the 'passtime' incident. He says 'oh she must have meant - ' are you here for first time ?' Ouch! now that's slam,dunk and self goal!
Well,I have decided to take one day at a time and relishing the experience slowly. :)
Ouch :) the 'k'logial twist can really hurt...but don worry u will get used to it...but dont expect me to understand u passsstime when u come back to indiland :)
ReplyDeletedont worry poof !...i will get my vowels pronounced correctly! :)))
ReplyDeleteGreat Humour. Learn the local language fast. may be u can come up with different connotations for the language.
ReplyDeleteits not "Philippians".... thats a chapter in the New Testament i'm sure.... (surprised I've heard abt the New Testament?)
ReplyDeleteits Philipino/Filipino or Philipinos/Filipinos when u r referring to someone from the Philippines....
noted bon thnks :P
ReplyDeletenow a dayz wid times the bad looking girls put their veil on and good looking r the one we say independent.:)
ReplyDeleteraghu..
Very good stuff
ReplyDeleteFunny!!
Where are the pics??
interesting Mrs Tree:P,so add on to your lang /start rolling ur tounge :):D
ReplyDelete