More on the Master and Slave Culture

Earlier I had written about how people aren't as heirachical and there isn't such a 'master and servant' culture.

Over the past couple of days I have seen so many instances that just confirms my belief in that.

Example Number 1
We met with the Director of the Ministry of Exttension Services. As he pulled up in his car, he was sitting in the front of the car on the passenger seat, while the driver was driving. In India, 99% of the people never sit in the front passenger seat with the driver (unless the back seats are taken).

Example Number 2
As we landed in Arusha (about XXX miles from Dar es Salaam and a population of about 1.5 million people), the hotel car came to pick us up from the airport. The driver's name was Thomas. He took us to the hotel and we checked-in. As I was just wandering around the hotel I noticed that Thomas, the driver, was sitting in the restaurant and chilling. Drivers in India would never be allowed to do that!

Example Number 3
Again, in Arusha at the hotel, I was chilling in the garden with my coworker and our sales agent (Jonathan) who was organizing our safari, came over. He pulled a chair, ordered wine, and sat down and chatted with us for a good hours. Travel agents in India don't do that - not because they don't want to, but more because it's not acceptable. Johnathan was also very friendly with the waiters. There just didn't seem to be an air around anyone because they were poorer, or richer, or a manager versus a waiter. Very refreshing.

I'm sure I will see more examples, but for now, this is good. :)