Page 27 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 82 | JULY 2017

ETIQUETTE

MRS
CHAUHAN

THIRD WHEEL!
Dear Mrs Chauhan,
My friend has been dating a guy for a little over a year, and they are extremely
happy. We often hang out together after work and he casually fl irts with me.
I’ve never thought much about it, but lately, we have been texting almost every
day. I don’t want this relationship to be anything more than a friendship. I
don’t want to hurt my friend. How do I get my message across?
Dear Third Wheel,
You are in dangerous territory! Be
careful of your relationship with your
friend’s boyfriend. You don’t want
to develop feelings for him, or vice
versa, as you can only end up hurting
the person you care most in this love
triangle — your friend. Next time he
fl irts with you, put your guard up.
Watch what you say and how you
behave in front of him. Don’t say or do
anything that makes him feel that you
are reciprocating. And if the situation
is escalating, don’t be afraid to talk to
him. It is better that you are both on the
same page.

ROCK ON

Dear Mrs Chauhan,
My family is in the textile trade, and I have always known that after I complete
my college education I will be joining the fi rm. While studying business
overseas, however, I’ve met many people from diff erent walks of life, and have
discovered several interests of my own, specifi cally music. I want to learn how
to play the guitar and eventually start my own band. How do I tell my parents
of my newfound passion? I am scared they will view my interest as a waste of
time and encourage me to continue my current degree.

Dear Rock on,
It’s wonderful that college has broadened your
horizons. However, before making the switch to a
completely different career path, I encourage you
to talk to your parents about what you truly want.
While approaching the situation, always remember
to be calm and collected. If your parents aren’t
happy, then suggest to them that you can pursue
two degrees — a major in business and a minor in
music. And later on, you can make the decision
about what you want from life. After all, having
two talents is better than one.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Dear Mrs Chauhan,
I just got married six months ago, and long before I was back from our
honeymoon, long before I even unpacked most of our luggage, I started
feeling the ‘the great expectations’ creeping into my life. Initially, it was from
close relatives, but now aunties we have never met in our lives, old women in
the neighbourhood, even perfect strangers suddenly want to know whether
or not I am pregnant. It’s not like I am planning to have a child anytime soon,
but I just want to get them to stop asking me such intimate questions. It’s
really irritating!
Dear Great Expectations,
I can assure you that most Indian women
who are married are going through the
same ordeal as you. The most important
thing is to not succumb to the pressure.
Don’t let others, especially strangers,
encourage you to have a child, when
you know you are not ready. As for the
incessant questioning, ignore it! Don’t
let it bother you so much, and when you
are not in the mood to respond to such
questions, just smile, listen and walk away.
Sometimes, silence is the best reply.

Have an etiquette question? Send your dilemmas to
info@masalathai.com. Write “Mrs Chauhan” in the subject line.
ALL- A C CESS INT O B ANGK OK ’ S C ONTEMP OR AR Y INDIAN LIFEST YLE