Page 27 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 82 | JULY 2017
P. 27

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
   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32