Uncalled-for Personal Attacks

A distinct trait shown mostly by 'desis' is their habit of converting any discussion into a personal attack. I was looking around for a good example of this before writing anything just to see whether it was just a personal feeling or whether it is actually happening to people all around.

So this friend of mine writes a blog about how she liked (loved) Delhi-6 and Saawariya, two movies that haven't found favor with the critics or the audiences alike. A friend of hers (her?) reads the blog, and leaves a comment which starts with the words "Have you gone mad??" Now I really don't get why an opinion about a movie should be turned into a question about whether the person is mentally stable or not. The movies were not that bad (I loved both the movies quite frankly, and agree with the writer's reviews), but even if they were, the fact that the person loves the movies does not in any way reflect on the 'madness' of her mind. (the two may be best friends in real life, and I'm not trying to make a statement about their relationship at all. This is just a social observation).

When you discuss politics with another desi, it invariably turns into a yelling contest. Its the law of the jungle out there when you meet someone with different political views than yours. A harmless discussion about a current affairs topic will, in most cases, turn into a personal attacks contest ranging from "tum saale pseudo-secular log", to "tum logon ko gulami ki aadat pad chuki hai", to other colorful ones which will not be printed.

I have learnt, after years of being put down because of my taste in music, movies, sitcoms, political views, world views, hairstyle, dressing style, affections, posture, cooking etc. that its best to keep your opinions to yourself. Its rare to find people who will not stray from the topic, and not take a personal offense to anything and everything that comes out of you. I am fortunate to have a few friends like this in my life, and its a pleasure talking to them and having light hearted banter with them, and then going out for tandoori chicken afterwards. With the others, I follow the policy of non-confrontation, and non-discussion.