Cooties
Women here seem to have no qualms about sitting next to men in public transport or even squeezing in with them in overcrowded shareautos. It’s a welcome surprise after living in the south where people are totally paranoid about making physical contact with the opposite sex.
Category: Society
September 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Well, you should have tried to travel in the local train or mtc during rush hour here, in chennai…then you wouldnt have made that comment!
September 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
i meant to say post…this post and not comment! sorry!
September 24th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
That is a totally different thing. Standing packed in crowded spaces is no big deal. There is still separation and no contact.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve sat shoulder to shoulder with women in both buses (naturally not on the ‘ladies only’ side) and share autos and they don’t seem to have any problem.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Yes but I call into question your state of your mind when you… experienced… these things.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:23 am
In this country where they beat you first and ask questions later, I’d assume making efforts not to have any kind of contact is a safe option.
September 27th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Marcus, the ability to squeeze in with women in share autos is a welcome surprise?
September 28th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Why would it be an unpleasant surprise?
And if your comment is held up for moderation, reposting it with my name is not just extremely stupid but is also pointless since it goes right back into the moderation queue (from where I can delete it after laughing at you).
September 29th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
It’s not my state of mind, it’s my good looks. HA!
September 29th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
That’s just creepy.
October 4th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
@george
are you joking? 
good looks?
@marc
i had to go to a**t quite sometimes in share auto! those autos were crowded…6 people sitting in the rear and two were sitting on either side of the driver and yet, they never had problem to sit next to men!
October 4th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Have you seen a woman sit in front with the driver even once in your life? That proves that gender is indeed a touchy subject.
In your example, I’m sure the women were middle aged. Somehow it’s okay for middle aged and old women to sit next to men in those parts.
October 10th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
One thing i wont agree here is, if Vivek is getting in to a share auto, it is impossible for 6 people to sit in the rear. Nor he could sit along with 2 other man in front for the auto. Its Impossible!!
October 10th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
The reason no girl sits in front with the driver is because it’s asking for trouble. Seriously, auto-rickshaw drivers are predominantly scum.
And if you travel to Guindy, you will see women of every age sitting next to men of every age.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Gowtham, you make a very valid point.
George, it’s still fact that a woman on a bus would rather remain standing for the entire journey than take a vacant seat next to a guy.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Perhaps, but then, buses in Chennai are hell for women anyway.
October 11th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
As opposed to a world class experience here?
October 11th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
So, our man, is enjoying Pune then. (Or outskirts)
I think its perfectly fine to sit next to anyone. Just don’t get touchy feely
And why should it be a welcome change ? How does it matter if its a male sitting next to you or a woman ? You are then making gender a touchy subject, yourself. You should act all cool like it doesn’t matter.
I am sure that’s what Sundar had to say.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Yes, I am totally enjoying moving to an entirely new city where I don’t speak the language and don’t know anyone and settling down there for no sensible reason. Just as much as you are enjoying Mangalore, I would imagine.
It’s a welcome change since otherwise it would be an unwelcome change, a point you seem to be conveniently ignoring. You are advocating ignoring everything instead of addressing the issue. (Sundar was just trying to trip me up as usual but his attempt failed.)
November 14th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
No, i wasn’t trying to trip anyone up. It was an innocent question.