CULTURE SURPRISE
Says Zyn, “You get to know a completely different lifestyle, something you have not experienced. You have been brought up in a certain way and when you see something completely the opposite you are bound to get enchanted. At least, I did. After marriage I got a culture shock but in a pleasant way. The main transformation was in my style of dressing. I had always been a jeans and T shirt kind of girl but post marriage sarees, bindis, flowers and elaborate jewellery became part of my daily wardrobe. Initially, I struggled to get it right but now I can drape a saree with the same ease as I wear jeans.”
Susan’s experiences were not so amazing initially; in fact they oscillated between disastrous and hilarious. “I have always been open with my parents, sitting cross legged before them, openly airing my views and basically speaking my mind. I continued with my mannerisms even in front of his parents. I would flop down on the sofa next to my father-in-law and start chatting nineteen to the dozen, then I would catch Suresh making urgent signals at me and realise my folly. Suddenly I would change into a demure bride much to the amusement of all.”
EATING HABITS
Normally, diverse diet patterns are difficult to reconcile even if they are within the same community but when the dimension of religious difference gets added, it gets a trifle more complicated. Zyn says, “My hubby is a vegetarian while beef and pork have been part of my diet for as long as I can remember but he totally understands my perspective and I understand his. I cook whatever I feel like for myself but I also make sure that his meals are prepared exactly the way he likes. We have reached a compromise on the fact that whenever my in laws come down from Madurai to spend time with us, we do not bring non vegetarian food into the house. My mother-in-law cooks tongue tingling traditional dishes which I have begun to enjoy extremely.”
“Now I find myself veering towards vegetarianism much to the surprise of my parents and sister who can’t believe that I am thinking of giving up meat and have begun teasing me for my evolving tastes.”
“On the other hand, morning meals are a bone of contention between me and Sarvanan. Bread has been a staple on our breakfast table since the days of yore, possibly due to our Anglo Indian roots but he is an idli vada kaapi person. Only sizzling dosas, steaming idlis and coconut chutney can satiate his appetite. He does not consider bread and omelette a proper breakfast at all and chides me all the time for my continental preferences. So I am kind of sandwiched between both my families due to my changing dietary patterns,” she says with a laugh.
