** Travel - Pt II **

(Penned in Oct 07)

As said.. this is the second part of my musing on journey/travel. While in the first part I discussed the change in my behaviour pattern over a period of time as a traveller, in this part, I am gonna discuss about how others behave during the journey.

The big difference in the culture and attitude of the North Indians and South Indians is very obvious for anyone to see during journeys, where you get to meet them both, side by side. South Indians are always shy people and follow rules to a fair extent. At times their innocency touches the border of foolishness. Most of the South Indians prefer to sit exactly under their seat numbers and would like to have their luggage exactly under their seat (ass!). Panic and tension on their face would be quite obvious if they see some else occupying their space as they enter their compartment. North Indians think that the whole compartment is theirs' for taking. They always would come with more luggage and will occupy more space - most of the times encroaching upon others reserved area !! When there is a North Indian family and a South Indian family in a single coupey (8 seater) - its all the more fun to watch as they try to settle down.

Most interesting time is the phase when people enter the train and try to settle down in to their seats. It is at this point of time the compartments are crowded with more number of people than those actually travelling as those coming to see-off others too would be in the compartments trying to help (or disturb others!). People who walk quite a distance with heavy luggage, trying to reach their seats faster and settle down - all do make it interesting to watch. Most of the "fights" amongst the passengers starts at this stage.

Another big North South divide is the Kids/babies. North Indian kids/babies are mostly well behaved. South Indian kids/babies would be mostly shy and would take sometime to talk to others. North Indian parents wont force their children to recite poems and slokas in front of others... South Indian parents WILL do that ('slokas' will definitely be in the curriculum in case of Brahmins!). North Indian kids/babies wont cry to eat/sleep - infact, they would go for overkill. South Indian parents can be seen requesting, cajoling, threatening and walking behind their kids to make them eat.

Even the individual culture and flavour of different states can be seen. Bangaloreans will always come with a walkman or some modern gadgets plugged to their ears ! Bengalis are the "sound" parties; wont stop talking; fun is, everybody would be talking at the same time at the highest pitch of their voice and we wont know who is listening to who !! Gujaraties and Rajasthanis will always come with a big food baggage. North East folks will mostly be cheerful and will atleast have one music instrument with them.; their favourites are guitar and football); gender divide is not too big amongst NE people; its a commons sight to see girls very freely mixing with boys. But a few of these signs narrow down as you get into higher class, Shatabdies and Rajhdhanies. Mostly people remain silent and "bigger than thou" attitude. If at all you find some of the "common" signs described above in the passengers, you can be sure that they are travelling on Govt LTC / pass holders !!