Giving for Diwali

[Fireside_Hindu]

Namaste all!

I have another etiquette question.

There is an Indian family that lives a few houses down from me. I've spoken to the wife on a few brief occasions and tried to get to know her but she is very shy (I don't even know their names!). I don't know if they are Hindu or not and I don't like making assumptions but I'm the process of making Diwali cards at the moment and I'd like to give them one.

Would is be weird to make the assumption that they celebrate? They could be Muslim or Christian for all I know. I know if I received a Ramadan, Hanukkah or Christmas card I would be really charmed by the thoughtfulness of it. (But I like getting mail, so there's that. And also that's just me.)

Your thoughts?

:camp:

 

[Poeticus]

Would is be weird to make the assumption that they celebrate? They could be Muslim or Christian for all I know. I know if I received a Ramadan, Hanukkah or Christmas card I would be really charmed by the thoughtfulness of it. (But I like getting mail, so there's that. And also that's just me.)

Your thoughts?

... yeah, according to leftist and stringently politically correct crowds, that would be weird---pretty much borderline racialist generalizing born from centuries of Almighty Privilegedom©, they might add! But take it from a brown person: just give a card anyway. If it goes sour, at least you tried. Who knows, they may even be Indian Muslims or Indian Christians that do celebrate Diwali. In India, hundreds of thousands of them proudly do---as well as Sikhs and Jains (they might even be Jain, this family that lives near you; who knows?). Give it a try because Indians, in general, often find such acts to be very kind and thoughtful (and I say that as a fellow Indian). Good luck, FH!

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

... yeah, according to leftist and stringently politically correct crowds, that would be weird---pretty much borderline racialist generalizing born from centuries of Almighty Privilegedom©, they might add!

Well, by virtue of being white I'm incurably racist so there's no getting around that. I just do my best to minimize my ignorance and increase of awareness and sensitivity. I appreciate your "Brown Person" vote of confidence!

:camp:

 

[Maya3]

Well I'm a leftist, white, political correct person.
I love getting cards from all kinds of holidays, I'm happy if someone wishes me a happy Ramadam or Happy Hannukah. And I love old fashioned Christmas Cards. But I also think it is really nice to wish everyone Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas so that you include everyone. There are lots of holidays during this time, so it is great to be inclusive.

I would ask your neighbors if you get a chance and see them before Thursday, and then I would send them a card.

Maya

 

[ShivaFan]

Oh yes - please give them! There is NO INDIAN no matter what "religion" who would not appreciate it (I am telling you the truth) and especially if YOU MAKE YOUR OWN CARD FOR THEM! It is like "Christmas" here - if you are a little worried, just make it sort of generic, like with Happy Diwali like this:

Or with Laxmi. Everyone loves Her. Just like folks enjoy a "Christmas" card here even if Hindu or any other religion. But all Indians love a Diwali card!

 

[Vinayaka]

Yes, give. Maybe some sweets too.

 

[Sb1995]

To be honest maybe it's just my personality but I wouldn't bother. Especially if you don't know their names it would be awkward.

 

[Aupmanyav]

There is an Indian family that lives a few houses down from me.

Do they have a name plate on the gate? You may just go there and say hello. Indians will never mind it, whichever religion they might belong to.

 

[Madhuri]

Hmmm, I'd want to make sure I knew they were a Hindu family before doing that. Plenty of Indians are Christian or Muslim and could take it in a negative way.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Well now I'm just confused, lol. I have a few days to think about it though. THanks for everyone offering their thoughts.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

Don't worry. Worst thing that could happen is they're some foreigners belongiing to a dangerous cult that does human sacrifice, and you're their 'volunteer'.

 

[Asha]

Namaste

To be honest maybe it's just my personality but I wouldn't bother. Especially if you don't know their names it would be awkward.

its simple

just address tham Prabhuji or Mataji then you will soon have broken the ice

honestly would an Indian Christian or Muslim for that matter realy be offended by being greeted respectfully ?

 

[Asha]

Namaste

Well now I'm just confused, lol. I have a few days to think about it though. THanks for everyone offering their thoughts.

:camp:

Dont be confused just knock on the door and make them an invitation to come to your temple, well I am guessing that you have a set up much like ours where we just go around inviting everyone in the neibourhood, especialy quiet and shy Indian families lots of them here dont intergrate so well not even into the temples so it is nice to invite them, Muslims, Sikhs anyone who is interested to come just offer a hand of freindship.

Jai Shree Krishna

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Don't worry. Worst thing that could happen is they're some foreigners belongiing to a dangerous cult that does human sacrifice, and you're their 'volunteer'.

WOW. What did I do to get that karmic rebound?

 

[Vinayaka]

WOW. What did I do to get that karmic rebound?

Nothing ... I was just thinking of 'the worst thing' and it came to me. That silly little human mind often thinks ridiculously in 'forever the pessimist' sorts of ways. If you do contact them, let us know how it goes.

 

[Poeticus]

WOW. What did I do to get that karmic rebound?

You made this thread. That's what happened. Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

Nothing ... I was just thinking of 'the worst thing' and it came to me. That silly little human mind often thinks ridiculously in 'forever the pessimist' sorts of ways. If you do contact them, let us know how it goes.

Watch 'em give the card back. You took too long, they'll say.

 

[Vinayaka]

You made this thread. That's what happened. Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

Watch 'em give the card back. You took too long, they'll say.

We're just not the card giving type of people so I can watch and learn.

and do this ...

Happy Deepavali, everyone!!!! You too, Poeticus.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

You made this thread. That's what happened. .

I know - all this fuss over trying to be nice. But that's one of my neurosis I guess.

I guess it will be fine. If there's some sort of cosmic review of all my greatest failings and mistakes once I leave this body, "Giving Diwali card to someone who didn't appreciate it" probably won't come up. Or if it does, everyone will get popcorn and soda and we'll have a good laugh.

It's all those other terrible things I do on a daily basis that I need to worry about!

:camp:

 

[Kalidas]

WOW. What did I do to get that karmic rebound?

You're a racist White lady duh! I thought it was obvious. Joking aside this is a toughie the bleeding heart liberal in me is saying "Don't assume", the kind hearted Hindu in me is saying "awww how sweet."

 

[Vinayaka]

You're a racist White lady duh! I thought it was obvious. Joking aside this is a toughie the bleeding heart liberal in me is saying "Don't assume", the kind hearted Hindu in me is saying "awww how sweet."

We're all so curious now ... she has to go ahead and do it. FH, please don't let us down.

Deepavali here is Wednesday night. Most of the cultural associations will celebrate this coming weekend, or did so last weekend. It's better on a Saturday night, I guess.

Tonight is pradosha. Boss goes. I don't.